/OTNB-Autumn2011

SCHOOL CALENDAR | GATOR SPORTS | SUWANNEE CLEAN UP

Autumn 2011

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COMMUNITY THEATER Small-town charm and big city fun

HEARTS FULL OF LOVE Helping furry friends find forever homes

ROAD TRIPPIN’ WITH CHILDREN Helpful advice and crafty projects

Local Galleries Robin Popp and other talented artists’ work is on display at local gallery venues

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Dr. Reddy has been in this area since 2002, practicing in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, with a doctorate from Osmania University/ Gandhi Medical College; Residency & Fellowship at Chicago Medical School; an additional Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio; and is Board Certified by the American Board of Gastroenterology, specializing in Hepatology.

Dr. Reddy consults with patients needing care in Gastroenterology and/or Hepatology, treats Hepatitis patients, performs colonoscopies and endoscopies at Central Florida Endoscopy & Surgical Institute of Ocala, LLC as well as area

hospitals, with privileges at Munroe Regional Medical Center, Ocala Regional Medical Center and West Marion Community Hospital.

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CONTENTS AUTUMN 2011 • VOL. 09 ISSUE 03

>> FEATURES 24

Community Theater

116

BY LARRY BEHNKE

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BY DIANE E. SHEPARD

Local Art Galleries A Brief Look at Area Galleries and Other Art Venues

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BY AMANDA WILLIAMSON

Autumn Festivals Fall is finally here, and as the weather gets cooler, festivals abound.

135

Helping Veterans

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The All American Liberty Fest Honors Veterans, Raises Funds

Gone to the Bats Lubee Bat Conservancy Holds Its Annual Bat Festival

BY ELIZABETH BEHRMAN

58

Road Trippin’ How to Travel with Children and Not Lose Your Sanity

Small-town Charm & Big City Fun

Meet Eva Copeland Alachua’s New Principal

BY ELIZABETH BEHRMAN

Non-American Thanksgivings

BY MARY KYPREOS

Canada and Germany Have a Fall Feast, too

Alligator Warrior

BY MATTHEW BEATON

Reenacting the Second Seminole War Battle of San Felasco Hammock

BY ALYSON LANDRY

14 | Autumn 2011

ON THE COVER

PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY / LOTUS STUDIOS

Artist Robin Popp graces the cover of this edition of the Newberry & Jonesville Magazine. Robin is one of several artists whose work is on display at the Firehouse Art Gallery in downtown Newberry.

Read about the gallery and other venues in our community where you can see original artwork.

>> ANIMAL RESCUE

48

Hearts Full of Love

By Janice C. Kaplan

Forever My Love In March of 2007, Animal Rescue Friends took in its first 11 dogs. ARF’s focus for the past year has been on fundraising to help complete a new facility in Gilchrist County.

Now finished, the new facility was designed to triple the capacity to house injured, abandoned and abused animals.

ARF relies solely upon donations for its efforts and its primary work is with dogs and cats, but has also taken in livestock.

Helping Furry Friends Find Forever Homes

BY JANICE C. KAPLAN

F

rom the ashes of heartbreak, one can often find new joy.

In February of 2007, Stacey Hoyt’s cat Mayla was accidentally trapped during an effort to round up feral cats on the property next door to where she lived.

She went to the animal control shelter to see if Mayla had been recovered but did not find her there. Hoyt, however, discovered something else that was even more heartbreaking.

“It took a long time to even find the shelter, and when I got there it was filthy,” Hoyt said. “There were dead dogs in the pens, and cats had no litter boxes, water or shelter. Their only cages for cats were bunny pens, which were too small.”

After speaking with animal control officials, Hoyt and her friends attended county commission meetings to ask about the animal control budget. They also began volunteering at the shelter, helping to clean and feed the animals and raising funds to try and improve the situation. She even enlisted help from her fellow members of the National Barrel Horse Association. But while their efforts made a difference, there was only so much they

PHOTO BY JANICE KAPLAN

Rocky, a 1-2 year-old hound mix, meets his new owner.

could do for the many animals being brought in.

One day Hoyt saw a mother dog and her ten newborn puppies at the shelter and decided to take them home to care for them. This is when she realized a great way to contribute was to help find these pets homes — and Animal Rescue Friends was born in March of 2007.

Today, Animal Rescue Friends — or “ARF” as it is affectionately known — focuses its efforts on the animals of Gilchrist County. Their primary work is with dogs and cats, but they have also been known to take in the occasional horse. ARF rescues most of their animals from the county shelter and fosters them until they find homes, often paying for medical care and rehabilitation in cases of abuse or neglect.

PHOTO BY JANICE KAPLAN Emma, a 1-2 year-old lab mix, awaits adoption at Tractor Supply in Jonesville.

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www.VisitOurTowns.com

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www.VisitOurTowns.com

Autumn 2011 | 107

>> CONSERVATION

Suwannee River

By Carolyn Tillo

Clean Up From September through November, volunteers will participate in the Great Suwannee River Cleanup. Orchestrated by Current Problems, a nonprofit that organizes cleanups of waterways in North Central Florida, these volunteers consist of civic groups, cave divers and families. Last year the Great Suwannee River Cleanup removed nearly 30,000 pounds of trash from the river.

Cleaning Up a Symbol of Florida’s History

BY CAROLYN TILLO

T

hey lurk within the Suwannee River, waiting for someone to come and bring them to the surface. Some are small enough to hold in the palm of a hand. Others are large enough to crush a man.

Before 2010, no one dared to face them, at least not on a grand scale. The occasional river traveler removed a few here and there, but the rest remained, silently rotting under the water or eerily sitting on the water’s surface.

Armed with grabbers and nets, scuba gear and buckets, a group of more than 500 volunteers joined together last year to stop these silent but deadly enemies from destroying the river. From September through November, they

worked, using bags to contain their foes and scales to determine the weight of their victory.

The enemies may seem harmless enough. They include Coke bottles, refrigerators, an old safe, toilets and even an entire boat.

But, at the bottom of a river, these objects pose a threat to local wildlife and to the people who travel this waterway, said Fritzi Olson, the executive director of Current Problems, a nonprofit that organizes cleanups of waterways in North Central Florida.

Olson helped coordinate the group of volunteers who participated in the 2010 Great Suwannee River Cleanup. They removed almost 30,000 pounds of trash from the river, she said.

This year, she is recruiting new volunteers and encouraging old ones to return for the 2011 Great Suwannee River Cleanup, which kicked off at Ivey Memorial Park in Branford, Fla., on Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants can register for the kick-off or for any of the cleanups online. Cleanups will take place from September through November, and volunteers can choose when and where they want to clean up, using the map and spreadsheet on the signup site.

Last year, helpers included civic groups, cave divers and families.

Current Problems provides grabbers, nets, buckets, trash bags and scales for people to collect and weigh the trash, but Olson said she lets the groups find the cleanup

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRITZI OLSON

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>> CREATIVITY

140

Singing for the Santa Fe

By Amanda Williamson

Sing a Song for Me On Oct. 2, the Our Santa Fe River organization will hold its 2nd Annual Singing and Songwriting Contest at the Great Outdoors Restaurant in High Springs. Musicians of all ages and styles are invited to compete in the contest. Last year, about 150 guests gathered in the patio to hear the musicians sing their praise for the Santa Fe River.

A Singing and Songwriting Contest

BY AMANDA WILLIAMSON

W

ay down upon the Santa Fe River, far, far away. Sound familiar?

Probably not. In fact, other than ad-libbing the Santa Fe River into the popular “Old Folks at Home,” an 1851 song composed by Stephen Foster about the Suwannee River, not enough attention has been given to the treasured local river.

And Our Santa Fe River member Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson could not understand why.

In 2010, the Our Santa Fe River organization held its first Singing and Songwriting Contest at the Great Outdoors Restaurant in High Springs and dedicated it entirely to the Santa Fe River. After a huge success, the organization plans to recreate the event this year on October 2 at 3pm. The Great

Outdoors will once again provide the location.

Malwitz-Jipson knew that the local artists needed to start singing praises and glory about the river.

“We thought if we got musicians and writers, poets and artists to do more with their creative vision that it would also inspire people to want to protect the river,” she said. “Just like the song about the Suwannee River, it keeps it in people’s minds.”

Last year, seven artists competed for the first place spot. Each was armed with an original creation about the Santa Fe River. MalwitzJipson said a broad range of musical genres were represented.

And this year, she hopes to gain an even wider range. She invited local artists, such as The Duppies.

Though the musical talent for this year will not be finalized until September 23 when applications

140 | Autumn 2011

are due, Malwitz-Jipson said she can see people singing about the Santa Fe River in all different kinds of music.

“It’s kind of a community event,” Malwitz-Jipson said, “because music touches all different kinds of people.”

Eldon and the Philman Family Band won first place last year.

He sang “Wishin’ I Was Back in Gilchrist,” a country/bluegrass song that speaks of success in the music industry that leads to homesickness for the river.

Eldon agreed with MalwitzJipson about the power of music.

“Art is the universal language,” he said. “You don’t even have to

understand the words to enjoy the song. It has strong power and ability to sooth even savage beasts.”

Avery Dehart, a teenager, sang a bluesy number called, “The River,” and won second place.

Returning judge Lars Andersen remembers the moment when Dehart stood up on stage and “sang her big heart out.”

“I think there were a lot of lumps in a lot of throats by the end of that song,” he said.

Malwitz-Jipson said Our Santa Fe River wants to promote local music through the contest. Sun Hill Studios will handle the sound this year. Malwitz-Jipson said one of the performers last year gained a

recording contract because of her performance, but unfortunately, it fell through — not because of fault on either side of the contract.

Our Santa Fe River had never put on a singing event, so for the rules, the organization contacted The Florida Folk Festival. The festival gave them their list of rules, and Our Santa Fe tweaked them to fit its needs.

Obviously, the song lyrics have to be about the Santa Fe River. It must be an original creation by the entrant, and cannot be more than 4.5 minutes in length. Each participant must submit one song

www.VisitOurTowns.com

PHOTOS BY DANIEL GARCEAU

TOP: Last year, Eldon and the Philman Family Band won first place at the Singing and Songwriting Contest, while teen Avery Dehart, (above) earned second place.

Autumn 2011 | 141

The articles printed in Our Town Magazine™ do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Tower Publications, Inc. or their editorial staff. Our Town Magazine endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we can not be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Our Town Magazine reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. All rights reserved. © 2010 Tower Publications, Inc.

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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>> FEATURES Published quarterly by Tower Publications, Inc. www.towerpublications.com

PUBLISHER Charlie Delatorre charlie@towerpublications.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Albert Isaac editor@towerpublications.com fax: 1-800-967-7382 OFFICE MANAGER Bonita Delatorre bonita@towerpublications.com ART DIRECTOR Hank McAfee hank@towerpublications.com SENIOR DESIGNER Tom Reno tom@towerpublications.com

126 PHOTO BY AMANDA WILLIAMSON

A mom and pup (Variable flying Foxes) hang inside the maternity cage at the Lubee Bat Conservancy. During the gestation period, females separate from the males to

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Matthew Beaton Larry Behnke Elizabeth Behrman Desiree Farnum Janice Kaplan Mary Kypreos Alyson Landry Diane E. Shepard Carolyn Tillo Amanda Williamson

form maternity colonies. In this species, the young remain with their mothers for four to five months. Variable Flying Foxes usually only have one pup a year.

ADVERTISING SALES Jenni Bennett 352-416-0210 jenni@towerpublications.com

COLUMNISTS 54 68 112 124 144

Diane E. Shepard .................................................. MAMA MUSINGS Albert Isaac ................................................................ DIFFERENT NOTE Kendra Siler-Marsiglio ..................................... HEALTHY EDGE Donna Bonnell ......................................................... EMBRACING LIFE Crystal Henry ............................................................ NAKED SALSA

Fall Festivals Taste of the Town Community Calendar High School Sports Gator Sports Schedule

16 | Autumn 2011

Nancy Short 352-416-0196 nancy@towerpublications.com Pam Slaven 352-416-0213 pam@towerpublications.com Helen Stalnaker 352-416-0209 helen@towerpublications.com Larkin Kieffer 352-416-0212 larkin@towerpublications.com

INFORMATION 64 82 84 96 98

INTERN Desiree Farnum

100 Alachua County 2011 School Calendar 154 Worship Centers 158 Library Happenings 162 Advertiser Index

Annie Waite 352-416-0204 annie@towerpublications.com ADVERTISING OFFICE 4400 NW 36th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32606 352-372-5468 352-373-9178 fax

A E

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You Have a Choice for your child’s education.

Alachua Learning Center Elementary and Middle School located just North of the town of Alachua on State Road 235, serves students from all parts of Alachua and neighboring counties.

Charter Schools are part of the Florida Alternative System of Public School Choice and charge no tuition.

While having the benefits of a “small-school” environment the Alachua Learning Center provides a challenging and fulfilling academic, cultural and physical educational program for students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The Alachua Learning Center has consistently been rated an “A” school by the State of Florida.

Our varied physical education curriculum includes on-campus rock climbing and subscribes to the “President’s Fitness Program”.

The Alachua Learning Center offers inspiring classes on a variety of subjects: Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, P.E. Sports, Rock Climbing, Drama, Music, Clay Sculpting, Computer Graphics, individual Student Book Publishing (writing, design, illustrating), Drawing, Painting, Crafts, Community Service Display Projects, and exciting Field Trips.

Alachua Learning Center 386-418-2080

alachualearningcenter.com

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PHOTO BY ALBERT ISAAC

SPECIAL >> CIVIC PROJECT

New Bike Racks in High Springs

BY MATTHEW BEATON unctional art, put simplistically, is the purpose of High Springs’ new bike racks. Installed last March, the figures — a light blue heron, a green frog on a lily pad, and a yellow-bellied slider turtle — can be found in various locations downtown.

Local resident Ted Brock made the bike racks. Brock is a metal manufacturer and designer by trade. A man with self-taught skills, his work has been featured on the TV show “American Chopper.”

Previously an executivelevel homebuilder, Brock’s love for cycling inspired the idea. Around downtown High Springs, he said, “there’s nowhere to put your bike; you have to chain it up to a light pole, basically.”

So he told Tom Hewlett, the president of the Yellow Bellied

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18 | Autumn 2011

Sliders, a local bike group, “I can do something, and it can be nice; it can be something located in-between every other business [and] when people aren’t using it, it can be art.”

With that in mind, Brock began designing the figures back in 2009.

As far as picking the animals, he said, “I just wanted to keep with the High Springs theme, ‘Enjoy Our Good Nature.’ And so the heron and the frog seemed to me to just represent nature. Of course, the yellow-bellied slider logo was kind of a no-brainer.”

Hewlett, too, played an important role. He is treasurer of the Community Development Corporation, which runs the Main Street Program, a nonprofit operation that supports downtown and preserves High Springs’ historical, small-town assets.

After the grant was accepted, Brock went to work, crafting each rack from half-inch-thick steel.

“Once I’ve drawn and designed it, I can load the artwork into [the computer program] that’s attached to the robotic plasma cutter,” he said.

The computer then guides the machine as it hones out his creation.

Because of their efforts, a frog now sits perched on its lily pad in Wisteria Cottage’s front yard a few feet off the sidewalk. A yellow-bellied slider stands upright beside the city hall. Another brilliant yellow turtle strikes a pose, appropriately, next to Santa Fe Bicycle Outfitters. And others can be seen in various locations.

“We covered most of the town,” Hewlett said. s

MESSAGE >> FROM THE EDITOR

Fall is here and I’m very much looking forward to those cool breezes and crisp evenings, when we can again throw open our windows and let in the fragrance of the great outdoors — and I won’t have to mow the yard so much.

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It is with great pleasure we offer to you this edition of the Our Town Family of Magazines. Within these pages you will find stories about some of the many fun happenings in our communities — and nearby — ranging from Community Theater to a Singing and Songwriting Contest, from art galleries to the Great Suwannee River Cleanup.

There is also a wide variety of fall festivals this time of year and our writers bring you features on some of these events. There’s the Newberry Market Festival, Alachua’s Harvest Festival and the High Springs Festival and Car Show — perfect opportunities to get out of the house and enjoy the many fun, familyfriendly events our communities have to offer.

In addition to the usual celebrations occurring in our area, there is the Second Annual All American Liberty Fest held at Santa Fe College to benefit our veterans. O’Leno State Park is hosting the Alligator Festival where visitors can see reenactments of the Second Seminole War Battle of San Felasco Hammock, among other things. And for those wanting to learn more about our furry flying friends, the Lubee Bat Conservancy in Gainesville is hosting its annual Bat Festival — just in time for Halloween.

Since 2003, the High Springs & Alachua and Newberry & Jonesville Magazines have been going strong in print, and now they can also be found online at www.visitourtowns.com. We are also on Facebook.com and invite you to visit. All of us at Tower Publications have enjoyed reading the great online comments and we encourage those of you who are so inclined to “Like” Our Town Magazine on Facebook.

We hope you enjoy the season! s

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STAFF >> CONTRIBUTORS Matthew Beaton

Desiree Farnum

is a freelance journalist who recently earned his master’s in mass communications from UF. He enjoys romping with his mutt friend, Jack. They both find bananas and the Jersey Shore unpalatable.

Jack, however, is a much more avid reader.

is an intern at Tower Publications, a senior in UF’s College of Journalism and a freelance writer. Born in Trinidad and raised in Queens, NY, she enjoys spontaneous road trips and visits from outof-town friends.

Alyson Landry

Elizabeth Behrman

is a graduate of the photojournalism program at UF. She believes everyone has a story to tell and traveling possibilities are endless. She enjoys baking and running to counteract the chocoholic in her.

is a freelance writer and student in UF’s College of Journalism. She is a member of Phi Mu Fraternity. She loves to read, write, watch movies and spend time with friends.

desireefarnum@ufl.edu

liz.behrman@gmail.com

alyson.landry@gmail.com

Mary Kypreos

Janice Kaplan

is a freelance writer and editor who enjoys discovering tidbits of knowledge about Florida from those who know it best.

She is a proud Gator alumna and is currently working toward a Master’s in English language and literature.

has been a freelance writer since 2005. In her spare time Janice loves cooking, Gator sports, Jimmy Buffett anything and spending time with her husband and kids. kaplan_ janice@yahoo.com

kypreos.mary@gmail.com

Crystal Henry is a freelance writer and columnist born and raised in West Texas. She received her B.S. in Journalism in 2006 from the University of Florida. She is in love with the Florida landscape.

M

Diane Shepard is a writer and Mama to two young children. Her next work in progress is a memoir “Keeping Time with Turtles.” diane@towerpublications.com

ces03k@gmail.com

Carolyn Tillo

Amanda Williamson

wanted to go to law school until she realized she hated arguing. She plans to attend graduate school for public relations and pursue a career as a communications coordinator for a nonprofit or philanthropic organization.

is a student in UF’s College of Journalism and Communications. She has been writing for as long as she can remember. She enjoys spending time with her friends, family and animals. awilliamson@ufl.edu

carolyntillo@gmail.com

Larry Behnke

Donna Bonnell

is an artist, writer, photographer and a graduate of the University of Michigan in cinematography and painting. He has used solar electricity since 1984 and lives in a dome home.

is a freelance writer who moved to Newberry in 1983.

She enjoys living and working in the town she now calls home.

larry@towerpublications.com

20 | Autumn 2011

donna@towerpublications.com

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>> HIGH SPRINGS

Community

Theater

Small-Town Charm & Big City Fun

BY LARRY BEHNKE

n entertainment gem sparkles in downtown High Springs, yet surprisingly few townsfolk see its light.

“People in High Springs are still discovering the theater,” said Lorraine Kirkland, President of High Springs Community Theater (HSCT). “We get more people from Lake City and Gainesville, Live Oak and Newberry too.”

Arlene Levine agrees. She has acted, volunteered and represents HSCT at the monthly Chamber meetings.

“I once did a survey of people

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attending our plays,” Levine said.

“The least amount of patrons come from High Springs.”

How is this possible with a group that got its start in 1993?

Kirkland would like to improve local attendance.

“We would love to see more people come from High Springs and Alachua,” she said.

Levine added, “We hope to involve more of the community in the theater.”

But recognition travels slowly and there is competition with home TVs, especially in a tight economy.

The HSCT has always relied on the hard work of a few devoted individuals. Its first play, “A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum,” was held at the High Springs New Century Woman’s Club, a local institution more than a century old. The theater’s first board of directors were Graham and Diane Williams, who ran the Great Outdoors Restaurant; Jim Gabriel, a bicycle shop owner, and Jeanette Peters who wrote grants to fund the endeavor.

Thirty-nine shows played during the partnership with the Woman’s

PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY for LOTUS STUDIOS

Beauty and the Beast (Austin Landis and Gavin Waters) with some of the cast pose on stage after a performance in August.

24 | Autumn 2011

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Each summer the theater presents its Summer Youth Production, which is produced entirely by teens.

Club, which also benefited. HSCT members volunteered to improve the old building. They expanded the stage, enclosed the green room and added a mini-balcony for lights. Their final contribution to the Woman’s Club was building a new addition with a lobby and two restrooms (no more Porta-Potties during plays!).

Then, in October 2001, HSCT found its own place, an old church building three blocks east of the Woman’s Club on the same side of First Avenue. It had held at least three different congregations and a craft mall. Modifications were begun immediately and continue to this day.

Tom Solomon, owner of the Rustic Inn, did much of the interior work: a tearoom, green room and dressing room. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place February 21, 2002. A week later, “Man of La

Mancha” opened. The theme song of the play summed up the mood of the theater group who had dreamed “The Impossible Dream.”

August 2011 play, “Beauty and the Beast” was directed by Sadie DePeter, who got her start at HSCT acting, doing lights and makeup.

None of the board members, cast or crew are paid; their volunteer work is done for the love of theater.

Renovations are ongoing. They have included roof repair, a handicap access ramp, railings and tile for the porch, new seating and window work. Some happened because of grants; all required the work of volunteers. A new marquee is next.

In 2003 a new feature was introduced: the Summer Youth Production, with acting by youth ages eight to 18. Adults helped at first, but now the annual play is totally produced by teens. The

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The somewhat shy 15-year-old said acting and directing brought her out of her shell. She finds it rewarding to work as part of a group in creating the unique experience of a play.

Past summers’ youth productions have included “Aladdin,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Babes in Toyland,” “Snow White,” “Jungle Book” and “Charlotte’s Web.” Funding HSCT is an ongoing task, which uses sponsorship, patrons and many volunteers.

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PHOTO BY LARRY BEHNKE

The High Springs Community Theater took up residence in its current location in October 2001.

“We just can’t make enough through ticket sales to cover our expenses,” Kirkland said. The current president’s jobs include finding plays and directors, purchasing the rights and buying scripts.

“It costs us $900 just for the right to put on a play,” Kirkland said.

“That is $78 per performance, plus we pay $9.90 per script.” She said the youth productions cost only $40 per performance, “But we have to buy more scripts.” The recent youth play required 25 scripts. The admission to watch the play was only $5.

None of the board members, cast or crew are paid; their volunteer work (averaging 1,500 hours total per production) is done for the love of theater.

A “Walkway of Fame” in front of the theater is made of bricks that people sponsor. Each brick can be engraved with three lines or logos for a donation of $100.

28 | Autumn 2011

Kirkland is among many over the years who surprised themselves getting involved in theater.

“A friend asked me to fill in [act] for her when she needed surgery,” Kirkland said. “I had wanted to do theater, but was reluctant.”

The director asked Kirkland to expand her involvement and she enjoyed it.

“By then I was hooked,” she said.

“It was a good experience.”

She most recently played in “Butterflies Are Free” this past June.

Few small towns are fortunate enough to host their own playhouse, and the variety and caliber of HSCT plays over the years is striking. Plays performed include “The Fantastics,” M.A.S.H.,” “Inherit the Wind,” “Our Town,” “Sound of Music,” Fiddler on the Roof,” Hound of the Baskervilles,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Oklahoma,” “Steel Magnolias,” and “1776 - The Musical.”

Malcolm Sanford, current HSCT secretary, got his feet wet at HSCT with that last play and has done others. He writes a monthly column about the theater in a local paper.

And people are still discovering the theater.

Kirkland talked of other events at the playhouse. Nationally known theater expert Dr. Will Eyerly had conducted workshops for youth over the years. Ross Ambrose taught lighting and set design classes (Ambrose also did most of the work building two new restrooms and other renovations). Irish dancers performed and another time an actor did a reading as Mark Twain. Local artists display their work on the walls of the tearoom.

The theater is open to other events that involve the community.

Each of the past two years a dinner theater took place at the old opera house, the upstairs of the

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PHOTOS BY LARRY BEHNKE

OPPOSITE: “Beauty and the Beast” Director Sadie DePeter, 15, gets hand slaps from the cast after greeting the audience.

Great Outdoors Restaurant. People were served dinner while watching a comedic murder mystery.

Dot Harvey volunteered for many years with HSCT. She can tell much about the theater, but wants to emphasize one aspect.

“All productions at HSCT are safe for all family members,” Harvey said.

But Kirkland added that it goes beyond the audience.

“Getting whole families involved is wonderful. It’s a wholesome activity, even inspirational,” she said. “It helps to know more about yourself and the world around you.”

Pete and Wanda Roe have to agree. When their 11-year-old son Jedidiah asked if he could audition for the play “Oliver,” they figured they would go along for support, maybe hand out programs if he got the part. They brought along Jed’s sister, 8-year-old Crimson. Jed got the part; then the director asked

30 | Autumn 2011

Crimson if she wanted to be in the play too. In fact, the director said they could also use Pete and Wanda.

All four family members greatly enjoyed being involved with HSCT, a spark that grew.

“It became our family activity, instead of say, baseball,” Pete said. “It was our community life, something we all enjoyed together.”

The family went on to appear in other plays at HSCT and at the Gainesville Community Playhouse.

Jedidiah got involved in lighting design, so for a while Pete became the master electrician at the Playhouse. Crimson enjoyed acting more and Wanda went along, both of them acting in several plays. Wanda is still on the board at the Playhouse.

Jedidiah is now in his final year of grad school, interning on Broadway with Brian McDevitt, who has won eight Tony’s for lighting design. Crimson recently moved to

Brooklyn and is interning with a Broadway group, acting in films and dancing in music videos.

Two High Springs youngsters are now on Broadway in New York City, still doing what sparked their interest many years ago when they first joined a cast at High Springs Community Theater.

Next Season holds plans for two Neal Simon plays, “The Odd Couple (Male Version)” and “Rumors.”

Kirkland said she was confident they would also be doing “Crimes of the Heart,” a southern comedy, which was a popular movie too.

“Moon Over Buffalo” (a husband and wife comedy, arguing the value of live plays versus movies) runs October 7 through 30. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm., and Sundays at 2 pm. s For more information, to become a patron or to volunteer, contact Lorraine Kirkland at 386-752-7994 or daisyplay@comcast.net.

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A D V E RTI S E M E N T

Part of the Family

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TJ MORRISEY

hen you walk into the waiting room at North Florida Woman Care, the first thing you notice is the homelike décor. The soft lights, comfortable seating and subtle color palette provide a sense of calm for patients. But perhaps the most telling aspect is a small table near the check in window, upon which sits a sign:

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If you have waited for longer than 15 minutes, kindly let the front desk know.

This small detail is a testament to the commitment that practice owner Dr. Michael Cotter, his colleagues and his staff have to their patients’ satisfaction and well being.

“We want them to feel like this is their practice,” said Dr. Cotter. “This is their OB/GYN home where they come for care. We want to center the practice around them, around what they want and what they need.”

North Florida Woman Care operates on the principle that every woman is unique and special, and the practice offers a private relaxed atmosphere to make patients more comfortable.

Even clinical testing rooms reflect these efforts with plush chairs, potted plants, table lamps and plenty of reading material. The intent is to make the often anxiety-inducing tests given during pregnancy as relaxing as possible.

Dr. Cotter is a second generation OB/GYN (his father, Julian, practiced in Gainesville for 30 years) who has been working in the field for almost two decades. But it’s the past two years that have seen the greatest amount of change in his practice. During that time he added a certified nurse midwife, Cyndi Vista, and Dr. Carmen Peden as a new partner, and he just welcomed a new physician – Dr. Heather Stevens, a graduate of the medical school at continued on next page the University of

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Arizona who just completed her residency at Shands.

to care dovetails with the practice’s dedication to patients.

“It’s fun and exciting to have partners you can talk to and share with and learn from. It’s been interesting,” said Dr. Cotter, who explained that the added practitioners also help to serve patients better as the practice grows. “Dr. Stevens is smart, very friendly and personable, relaxed and easygoing. We’re really excited to have her.”

“I will definitely do as much as I can for any patient’s problem. Once a patient comes in I feel they’ll have a very happy experience throughout their OB care.”

A relaxed, patient-centric approach to comfort continues to make North Florida Woman Care a popular choice...

Personnel additions aren’t the only news at North Florida Woman Care. The practice now offers several in-office procedures that previously would have required hospital stays. But thanks to emerging healthcare technology, many of them can be done more quickly and with less invasive methods. Patients undergoing NovaSure, a procedure to lighten or completely stop periods, can go home shortly after the procedure is done. Adiana, a minimally invasive sterilization technique, can be performed without having to give anesthesia.

After finishing her residency, Dr. Stevens decided to stay in Gainesville to take advantage of the warm weather and close community. Her passion for what she does is easy to see as she explains how she chose obstetrics and gynecology as her specialty.

Even a hysterectomy is made simpler. Robotics allows for the surgery to be done at the center before the patient is sent home the next day with a three to four day recovery time – a far cry from the six-week timeframe with a traditional hysterectomy.

“I loved deliveries and how happy the field was,” she said. “You could follow women from adolescence to menopause and build those relationships. The health of women in general has so much to do with their overall well being and attitude. They’re such a big part of the family unit that I think it’s really important that they’re well cared for.”

With all the technology available, however, it still comes back to the relaxed, patient-centric approach to comfort that makes North Florida Woman Care a popular choice among the women of north central Florida.

Dr. Cotter’s practice offered that feeling of family she was looking for, along with a highlyregarded professional presence. Her approach

“I think one of the most important things we do is to be there for our patients,” said Dr. Cotter.

“Just be there when they need you, and do the right thing. It’s usually easy to figure out. Anytime you have to debate about whether something is the right thing… it’s not the right thing.”

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>> APPRECIATION

Local Art Galleries A Brief Look at Area Galleries and Other Art Venues

BY ELIZABETH BEHRMAN rt serves as a unifier for the community in more ways than one. Local galleries and other venues not only provide artists with a platform to display their work for their neighbors and visitors to their hometown, but they also promote community involvement by contributing to the bustle of downtown streets; they encourage children to take pride in their city and they add a bit of color and culture to the area. The High Springs Art Co-op, the Newberry Firehouse Gallery, Alachua City Hall and the Garden Gallery - and many others — all work to provide their communities with a creative outlet and a taste of the local artistic culture.

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High Springs Art Co-Op Right on Main Street, in the quiet, sunny atmosphere of downtown High Springs, the two-year-old High Springs Art Co-op attracts tourists and

38 | Autumn 2011

residents alike into its cozy inside.

Just through the double doors and beyond the jingling of wind chimes is the single desk in the gallery, where one of the co-op’s 16 contributing artists is ready to answer questions. That is, if they are not working on their latest creation in the studio area at the front of the gallery.

From jewelry to pottery to large oil paintings, these artists pack the walls and shelves with their masterpieces, ready to be sold to whoever is looking to purchase a piece of the local artistic culture.

Karen Lemonnier, one of the founding members of the co-op and a resident artist specializing in oil paintings, said the co-op was created in the true meaning of the word “cooperative.”

Each member volunteers their time about three days every month to run the shop, and each month they make a small donation to build up the business’s petty cash.

In exchange, they get a place to hang up and sell their art and a

studio space in which to work. The members have a formal meeting once a month, where they discuss business concerning the bylaws, membership requirements and other organizational tasks.

“We really feel like it’s important to let everybody have a voice and have an opinion of what direction they want to go,” Lemonnier said.

Each artist has an equal share in running the business.

One section of the gallery is reserved for the Artist of the Month to display their work. That artist is not usually a member of the co-op, but is often a local artist the group would like to help promote.

On the first Friday of every month, the co-op hosts a free art reception in the gallery to introduce the Artist of the Month to the public.

Garnette Hathaway, one of the co-op’s resident mixed media artists and sculptors, spends her shift working in the studio, either creating new works of art of freshening up some of her older pieces. She has been a member

PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY for LOTUS STUDIOS

Tina Corbett, just one of the 16 artists who contribute to the success of the High Springs Art Co-op, poses in the gallery.

On the ďŹ rst Friday of each month, the Co-op hosts its Artist of the Month event and on Nov. 4 they invite the community to their Black and White Party, offering food, refreshments, music and - of course - art.

www.VisitOurTowns.com

Autumn 2011 | 39

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ABOVE: The Firehouse Art Gallery in Newberry opened its doors to the public in February. Photo by TJ Morrissey LEFT: Alachua City Hall offers a venue for budding artists to showcase their work. Artwork by the students of Alachua Elementary and Irby Elementary Schools adorn the walls. Photo by Elizabeth Behrman RIGHT: Artist Robin Popp poses with some of her work outside of Newberry City Hall. Popp is one of many artists whose work can be found at the Firehouse Gallery. Photo by TJ Morrissey

of the co-op for about a year.

“I love this environment,” Hathaway said. “It’s a wonderful group of people. We’re all diverse.

When we look at someone to join we try to make sure they’re doing something different.”

Each of the contributing artists has a different specialty to contribute to the gallery, from oil painting and watercolor painting to pottery and pen-and-ink drawings.

Hathaway said because of the location of the gallery and the tourist traffic to the High Springs area, the gallery does fairly well in terms of sales.

Lemonnier agreed, saying most of her work usually sells to visitors from outside of the county.

When the co-op was formed there was some concern among the founders about whether the area could support such an art

40 | Autumn 2011

gallery, especially given the state of the economy and the fact that hand-crafted works of art can sometimes accompany a hefty price tag. But, Lemonnier said, they were pleasantly surprised.

“We really do have a larger tourist trade than I realized,” she said.

The Artists of the Month and monthly art receptions are supported very well locally, and the cooperative members are involved in other facets of the community, which helps get the word out.

“Society needs art, whether society knows it or not,” Hathaway said.

Alachua City Hall When you first walk into the main lobby of Alachua City Hall, everything looks perfectly in place.

The new building is spotlessly clean and everyone who works there is ready to welcome you with a smile.

But on the far wall across from the reception desk and to the left of the elevators, a small collection of picture frames immediately attracts the eye.

As Our Town goes to press, these frames are filled with drawings by the Kindergarteners and First graders of Irby Elementary School. The 16 colorful drawings consist of everything from Hitchcock’s Grocery Store and the Rec Center to the CVS Pharmacy and Domino’s Pizza.

Their assignment was to draw what they saw every day in the city of Alachua.

Adam Boukari, assistant to the city manager of Alachua, said the city commissioners came up with the idea to use art from the children to decorate the walls of the new building about a year ago.

The students of Alachua

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“The kids get a sense of achievement out of it,” Boukari said. “I think it’s been real rewarding for everyone.”

Garden Gallery

PHOTO BY ALBERT ISAAC

Bonnie Del Rosal, an acrylic artist, poses with one of her paintings in The Garden Gallery. Each Thursday she hosts a “Meet the Artist” event, offering visitors a chance to ask questions and see the creative process and a wide variety of works.

Elementary and Irby Elementary Schools contributed the artwork, typically from assignments out of the schools’ art curriculum.

“We have a beautiful lobby, and the walls were somewhat bare,” Boukari said. “So, we had the idea of using art to not only decorate the walls, but also provide a display from the local youth.”

The displays, which have included themes such as the City of Alachua and outer space, usually stay on the walls for several months before they are swapped with another set of pieces.

42 | Autumn 2011

When they are taken down, the children are honored at a city commission meeting in which they and their parents are invited.

Boukari said he likes to see the children’s art on the walls, and knows the work is prominently displayed even after it leaves city hall. That is, on the fridge or in the scrapbooks of their parents.

At least, he said, the parents always keep the photo they take of their child in front of their crayon drawing hanging on the wall after being honored by the city commission.

On Main Street, not far from Alachua City Hall, is the Garden Gallery, a gift shop offering not only gifts and garden trinkets but also original art.

When Bonnie Del Rosal and her husband, Mike, opened the Garden Gallery in Alachua in 1998, she was opening her dream shop.

They had owned several businesses and shops before in Miami, where they lived for about 20 years before moving to a farm in Northern Alabama.

But Del Rosal said she wanted to move back to Florida, and the couple settled in Alachua after she fell in love with the area.

“Everyone has been so welcoming since the very beginning,” Del Rosal said.

Once they arrived, she said she finally had the opportunity to open a shop that had everything to do with her other love: gardening.

For the past 13 years, the Garden Gallery has specialized in arts and gifts of all types. From gardening stationary to birdhouses and birdfeeders, there is something for everybody, Del Rosal said.

But the gallery is also just that: an art gallery.

Every Thursday Del Rosa invites visitors to come “Meet the Artist,” an event allowing an opportunity to ask questions and to observe the creative process. Artists run the gamut from fine art oil painting to designers of quilted handbags. Each week the shop features a different artist who contributes their work to the shop.

The shelves are stocked with everything from handmade handbags, beaded jewelry, photographs and paintings.

Del Rosal, an artist herself who mostly specializes in acrylic and watercolor painting, said she has about 16 local artists who

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PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY FOR LOTUS STUDIOS

Located on Newberry Road in downtown Newberry, the Firehouse Gallery gets its name from the fact that it was once a fi re station. Artists donate 30 percent of what is sold to the Newberry Main Street Program.

contribute work to the gallery, but she also features some work from out-of-town artists and sells some pieces and knick-knacks from “fun” name-brand distributors.

“We have people who come from all over, from Starke, from Ocala...” Del Rosal said.

People make it a point to stop by the Garden Gallery while they are driving through the area on their way in and out of the state.

Del Rosal really has a reason to call it her “dream shop.” When she moved to the friendly city of Alachua 13 years ago she knew she was in the right place to start a store where she could combine her love of art, gardening and meeting with friendly people.

Newberry’s Firehouse Art Gallery The Newberry Tourism Development Center building has been host to many different businesses throughout the years. It functioned as a fire station many years ago, and more recently as a health clinic and doctor’s office.

Now, it is home to the Firehouse Art Gallery.

Barbara Hendrix, executive director of the Newberry Main

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Street Organization, who runs the gallery, said when she relocated her office into the building, the walls were bare and the space was too big for just one office. Thus, the idea of the Firehouse Gallery was born.

“Most towns have art galleries in them,” Hendrix said. “We don’t really make any money off of this, but it brings businesses into downtown and gives local artists a place to show off their work.”

Since the gallery’s first show in February of this year, Hendrix said, word has spread and there are now 23 artists who hang their work on its walls.

“I didn’t go after any of these people, they came to us,” Hendrix said.

What she has found to be most amazing thing about the gallery’s immediate success is the people it brings into downtown.

People are now aware that there is a gallery open in the area and something else to do when they stop nearby for dinner.

The area in the back of the building is in the process of being remodeled into studio space where the artists can come to work and where

local residents and children can take free art classes.

Just this year, the city commission gave the Newberry Main Street Organization $40,000 in its budget, which is $15,000 more than last year.

The gallery has not only helped attract visitors to the downtown area, but it has also helped connect the community with the Main Street Organization.

“This community has engulfed the Main Street program and I think everybody knows what we do,” Hendrix said.

Robin Popp, one of the gallery artists, moved to Trenton from Clearwater two years ago, and immediately knew she wanted to help support the area with her art.

Popp said she loves the local artwork and the themes of the pieces, and has found ways to get involved in her new community by contributing work to the gallery and by participating in local events such as the on-location paint outs.

“I liked the idea of putting art in downtown Newberry,” Popp said. “It brings another facet to the downtown area, and it encourages the community to come out and see what’s going on.” s

V o p a s

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>> ANIMAL RESCUE

Hearts Full of Love Helping Furry Friends Find Forever Homes

BY JANICE C. KAPLAN rom the ashes of heartbreak, one can often find new joy.

In February of 2007, Stacey Hoyt’s cat Mayla was accidentally trapped during an effort to round up feral cats on the property next door to where she lived.

She went to the animal control shelter to see if Mayla had been recovered but did not find her there. Hoyt, however, discovered something else that was even more heartbreaking.

“It took a long time to even find the shelter, and when I got there it was filthy,” Hoyt said. “There were dead dogs in the pens, and cats had no litter boxes, water or shelter. Their only cages for cats were bunny pens, which were too small.”

After speaking with animal control officials, Hoyt and her friends attended county commission meetings to ask about the animal control budget. They also began volunteering at the shelter, helping to clean and feed the animals and raising funds to try and improve the situation. She even enlisted help from her fellow members of the National Barrel Horse Association. But while their efforts made a difference, there was only so much they

F

PHOTO BY JANICE KAPLAN

Rocky, a 1-2 year-old hound mix, meets his new owner.

could do for the many animals being brought in.

One day Hoyt saw a mother dog and her ten newborn puppies at the shelter and decided to take them home to care for them. This is when she realized a great way to contribute was to help find these pets homes — and Animal Rescue Friends was born in March of 2007.

Today, Animal Rescue Friends — or “ARF” as it is affectionately known — focuses its efforts on the animals of Gilchrist County. Their primary work is with dogs and cats, but they have also been known to take in the occasional horse. ARF rescues most of their animals from the county shelter and fosters them until they find homes, often paying for medical care and rehabilitation in cases of abuse or neglect.

PHOTO BY JANICE KAPLAN Emma, a 1-2 year-old lab mix, awaits adoption at Tractor Supply in Jonesville.

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PHOTOS BY JANICE KAPLAN

ABOVE: Rosemary McDaniel shows off one of the many cats available for adoption at the Animal Rescue Friends.

RIGHT: The kittens get a lot of attention from children in the store.

Members of ARF can be found most weekends at Petco in Gainesville, Tractor Supply in Jonesville and other locations, accompanied by adoptable pets that are ready for new homes. When the group gets a particular kind of dog, such as a Rottweiler or other purebreds, members often reach out to breed-specific rescue organizations to help find homes for them.

While rescue groups in all areas provide a valuable service saving and rehabilitating animals, organizations in more rural areas face a unique set of challenges.

“The mindset [in these areas] is that an animal is just a ‘thing’ and if they’re hurt they’ll just get over it or they die,” said Hoyt, who serves as the group’s president.

“There is not a big belief in spaying or neutering in rural areas, and there is a huge lack of funding and education about vaccinating your animal and de-worming. With the majority of a rural population, education is a big factor. That has been our biggest challenge.”

50 | Autumn 2011

Hoyt said that other obstacles they face include the area’s large number of feral cat colonies, which developed in part because of the lack of information about how to properly care for felines. She also said that many dogs they find are larger dogs and pit bulls that are popular in rural areas and that these dogs have a tough time finding homes because of their size or reputation.

The volunteers at ARF are doing their best to turn these numbers around. Rosemary McDaniel became involved with the group about three years ago when she saw a story in the local newspapers asking for donations and made a financial contribution.

“I’ve always loved animals,” McDaniel said. “I’ve always rescued them, but not as many as I’m involved with now. It was usually one at a time.” She recalled a time in 1996 when she was working at the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine, when a woman came in with a young, malnourished female

How To Help Animal Rescue Friends takes donations of cash or supplies (such as food, leashes, collars, medicines, toys and other items).

The group also needs volunteers to provide foster homes for animals awaiting adoption. To help in any way, please call Stacey Hoyt at 352-538-7470 or Linda Austin at 386-454-0337. To adopt a pet, email Linda at linda@arfnorthfla.org.

dog with a bad case of demodectic mange. The dog was brought in to be humanely put to sleep, but McDaniel had other plans.

“I said ‘That poor dog needs to be rescued,’ so that’s when I took over her treatment for her.”

McDaniel nicknamed the dog “Itchy” and saw her through her recovery from mange and starvation.

Months later the dog was adopted and given a new name, and she lived for nearly 15 years with a family who adored her before she passed away. Now as part of ARF, McDaniel fosters many of the organization’s cats and regularly brings them to Petco to look for new owners.

To continue their efforts the members of ARF depend entirely on volunteers and donations, both of which are always needed.

“Our group is desperately trying to make a difference in Gilchrist County, but every rescue group is in need right now of donations, especially with the economy,” Hoyt said. “And spring was puppy and kitten season, so we’re especially busy now.”

Hoyt never did find her cat, but from her grief, an organization was born whose members can look into the eyes of an animal and see past the layers of neglect to find the love that is still there. That is the spirit that keeps many rescuers going despite the heartbreak they see. It is turning a tragic situation into one that gives the animals, and in many cases the owners, untold amounts of love.

“It’s amazing,” McDaniel said. “Many of the rescued animals, I think they know that they’re being helped and they appreciate it.” s For more information on Animal Rescue Friends and the pets they have available for adoption, visit www.arfnorthfla.org.

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app’s Pawn, Gun and Archery is a family owned and operated tradition.

Since 1962, the Sapp family has been serving the Gainesville and North Central Florida community with one of the most unique shopping experiences in the area.

From the two Roman soldiers standing guard to the 10 cent Coke machine, and from the cammo carpet to the indoor bow range, Sapp’s is a must see experience.

As one of the area’s finest pawn shops, Sapp’s loans cash on quality used merchandise such as tools, electronics, construction equipment, yard equipment, cars, boats, motorcycles and trailers.

Sapp’s will work with you on determining the value of your item, agree on a loan amount and negotiate the terms and conditions

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of a repayment schedule. It’s that simple. With gold at an all time high, Sapp’s is looking to buy your unwanted gold. Paying top dollar and as one of the largest buyers of gold in Gainesville, you’re sure to receive the best price available for your unwanted gold items.

Sapp’s also offers a complete selection of rifles, handguns, bows, archery supplies, ammo, gun cases and accessories. Now, a Matthew’s Bow licensed dealer, Sapp’s carries the finest in archery supplies. Sapp’s has everything you need for any hunter; from novice to expert. As this upcoming hunting season is the first time any hunter can use a crossbow, now is the perfect time to let the experienced staff at Sapp’s introduce you to world of bow hunting.

Thinking of getting your concealed

weapons permit? Sapp’s offers a Florida’s Concealed Weapons Permit class the 4th Saturday of each month.

Call ahead to learn more about class availability and how you can register.

If fishing is your passion, Sapp’s has you covered. Their new fishing department is a full service fishing center featuring new and used equipment, supplies, cleaning and repair on most reels with line spooling.

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COLUMN >> DIANE E. SHEPARD

Mama Musings “Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.” — Charles Swindoll ama, my pumpkin patch is gone!” My son proclaims from the backseat — one of his windows on the world — as we drive by a conspicuously barren field.

This is not the first time I’ve heard this. And it won’t be the last. It feels like it’s the 147th time. We visited said Pumpkin Patch three or four times last October. He was barely three years old then. It is now late July. This field has been many things since it spilled over with pumpkins last fall, including a venue for fir trees from North Carolina waiting to be the perfect Christmas tree (but that’s another story). Yet, he does not forget.

My son comes by this pumpkin love naturally. Like Charlie Brown’s friend, Linus, I have always wanted a truly sincere pumpkin patch of my own. (Actually, I wouldn’t mind a Christmas tree farm of my own, either).

I believe this Pumpkin Patch and the time we spent here, is my son’s earliest memory. So mesmerized was he with the pumpkins that he talks about them constantly. What was it about those orange globes that made them so magical? So unforgettable? Personally, I can’t help but smile when I see a pumpkin patch. But this got me thinking: How do our earliest memories

“M

originate? How does the brain decide: “Okay, This is it!

This will be The First — The First One we Remember? Is it strong depth of feeling that is associated with it? Is it trauma? Is it simply random? Or, as I hope in my son’s case — is it something akin to magic — something that so totally and completely “clicks” with us and captures our imagination that we just cannot let it go?

I’m thinking, any of the above.

Psychologists believe the age range for a child’s earliest memory is between two and five years old, with 3 1/2 being the average age for that first memory.

And how do we preserve these memories? What can we do to help our kids remember those precious, early moments in life?

I’ve found that simply asking my kids questions helps them to remember and uncover deeper layers of memories.

“What did you do?”

“Ran in the pumpkins!”

“What else did you do?”

“I chased sister, and Conor and Cadence, and read signs.”

“Who else was there?”

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“Ganmommy and Gandaddy.”

“Did you pick out pumpkins?”

“Yes, lots!”

“Did you play in the hay?”

“Yes! Fun with hay!”

“What else?”

“I played with pumpkins!”

Positive, happy emotions will also aid in strengthening a particular memory; feelings of pure freedom and joy in the Pumpkin Patch. It makes sense why it made such an impression on him.

Reminiscing with our children also develops their memories.

I ask my 7-year-old daughter: “What is the first thing you remember?” For a while, it had been holding her brand new baby brother in her lap. She was 3 years and 3 months old then. That would make a big impression on one’s memory bank.

But just the other day she told us she remembers picking out a plastic toy train and reaching up to place it on a counter in an old-fashioned store, and riding on a train with me and her Papa. That would have been the daytrip we took to Agirama in GA, just a few weeks before her third birthday, and about four months before her brother’s birth.

This talk of memories has prompted her to create a memory book.

“Mama,” she tells me, “I’ll draw the pictures. You write the words.”

These shared memories and stories become part of the fabric of our family’s past.

Even though I cannot grow my own pumpkins right now, at least we have “Nicholas’ Pumpkin Patch” to visit every October, and I can take my children on even more fun and exciting adventures, and provide them with an even greater variety of unique learning experiences.

And together, we will grow more fantastic, happy, magical memories, like pumpkins.

It’s up to me to make sure that these deposits in their memory banks really count — that they are powerful and meaningful and long remembered. s

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Treating Patients, Not Problems

Erik M. Schabert, DO

hoosing a new physician can be a difficult task and at times, an emotional one. Asking for recommendations is definitely a good way to start, but ultimately, this decision, affecting so many areas of your personal life, will be yours and more often than not, will be based on your individual needs and yes, your instincts. How many time you have walked away from something or someone finding yourself thinking (out loud at times) no... this is not it... hmmm, it just doesn’t click. Well, when you meet Dr. Schabert, you will know that this is it; you found your primary care doctor for life.

A famous Chinese proverb says that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

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have chosen in becoming a physician; all while each of his steps was accompanied with a severe back pain dated to his military injury. Visiting one of the career orientations at his college, Dr. Schabert was introduced to Osteopathic Medicine and its philosophy of the interrelationship between structure and function of the body and the body’s ability to heal itself. Recognizing the role of osteopathic practitioner to facilitate the healing process through applications of hands on techniques, Dr. Schabert knew right then and there that he had just discovered his life mission in becoming a D.O. Board certified in Family Practice with additional extensive residency in Neuromasculoskeletal Medicine (sitting for the board exam in 2012), Dr. Schabert with his full scope of practice in modern medical, integrates his Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) as the ultimate care to improve the patient physiologic function and its correct relationships between bones, muscles, and connective tissues.

With a whole new approach for patient care, true love for learning (about medicine in particular) and strong desire to help others, Dr. Schabert, though practicing in Gainesville since 2008, successfully and proudly open his own practice. Reliant Family Practice, located in the heart of Gainesville, offers to its patients, participation in most major insurances, longer office hours (9-6), same day and shorter appointment wait, strong referral base to other professionals and most importantly, quality of care for all routine and preventive treatments.

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One lucky day, three years ago, I met Dr. Erik Schabert. Although I see a variety of physician’s to treat multiple, ongoing issues, Dr. Schabert was the last piece to my puzzle of resolving the majority of my issues.

There was something special and different about Dr. Schabert. If he had not been so empathetic to

my history and so certain he could help, I would have never followed through on my first appointment.

And, I would have missed out on an amazing physician not only to care for me, but also to help me finally heal properly and address all the underlying muscular skeletal issues.

One of the many obstacles Dr. Schabert solved was my inability to absorb calcium, which left me fragile and prone to osteoperosis. Because of him, my quality of life has improved tremendously. I can do things now that were impossible for me. He has helped make a positive difference in the quality of my life.

Thanks to Dr. Schabert’s treatment plan, I am healthier than ever before!

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>> COMMUNITY

Autumn Festivals Fall is finally open us, and as North Central Florida slowly (very slowly) slips into winter and the weather gets cooler, festivals abound.

HIGH SPRINGS Saturday, Oct. 29 offers a double dose of family fun in High Springs.

On opposite ends of the city’s charming Main Street shopping area are two festivals.

Along the railroad tracks more than a hundred beautiful old cars and trucks will be on display.

On the other end, by city hall is the Chamber’s annual Fall Festival.

Annual Car Show Each year, the High Springs Rotary Club sponsors the Car Show, now in its 19th year. The group also puts on a pancake breakfast and sell their famous sausage with onion and pepper sandwiches for lunch.

Saturday morning a steady stream of fine machines lines up at the Visitors Center building to register, although participants are urged to pre-register their cars.

They will get the annual T-shirt and goodie bag, plus a chance at winning one of several prizes.

The Friday before the show a Cruise-In is usually held for those who like to take their prized cars

58 | Autumn 2011

out for a drive. Last year a dozen cars drove to see the large collection of Studebakers at the estate of the late Robert Cade, inventor of Gatorade.

Car Show originators, Gary and Marilyn Bennett will show a car or two, as will long-time organizers Jim and Jean Buffington. Jim said the Car Show is basically a local Rotary fundraiser with some donations going to Catholic Social Services, which provides food for those in need.

For more info, visit highspringsrotary.org

Fall Festival The city sinkhole, also known as James Paul Park, will be surrounded with family activities from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

“Because it is Halloween weekend, we’ll have a lot for kids to do,” said Donna Mogler, Chamber of Commerce president.

“There’ll be a costume contest and a pumpkin roll.”

A children’s area will also have a bounce house.

Several vendors will offer a variety of food, crafts and artwork

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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for sale. There will be live music too, plus other events still in the planning stage.

This year again features a business expo section, where local proprietors can meet the public.

Chamber members get a free booth if they are a non-food business.

Why have both events the same day?

“We’ve found that it works well to get more people to visit High Springs,” Mogler said. With more to do, everyone is bound to find something to their liking.

For more info, visit highsprings.com.

NEWBERRY Fall Market Festival For the fifth year in a row, the annual Newberry Fall Market Festival will be making its way to downtown Newberry, complete with food, vendors and the famous BBQ cookoff.

Barbara Hendrix, director of the Newberry Main Street Organization,

said the festival attracted about 60 vendors last year, and she expects that many or more this year.

“Newberry is starting to show up on the map now,” Hendrix said.

She said the festival, which will be held October 15-16, will be much the same as last year, with music, food and fun set up along Seaboard Drive.

This year, however, Hendrix said the organizers are looking to make some changes, although it is still too early to set everything in stone.

This year’s event might feature a petting zoo, and the popular barbecue cook-off may comprise of two categories, amateur and professional. There are just too many contestants to put into one.

Hendrix said the best thing about the festival, though still relatively new, is that it attracts attention to the city of Newberry.

“It brings people in here,” she said. “We want people to enjoy being here.”

And the visitors aren’t coming

just from Newberry, either. Hendrix said the festival attracts funseekers from all over.

“That’s what community is,” Hendrix said.

For more info, call 352-472-2112 or visit www.newberrymainstreet.org.

ALACHUA Harvest Festival The Alachua Business League will host its Eighth Annual Alachua Harvest Festival on Sunday, November 6. Main Street will be closed to traffic and visitors can stroll through downtown from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to take in the sights and sounds of the season.

The Harvest Festival typically draws close to 200 vendors, who offer a variety of items.

“You can get your Christmas shopping done at the festival,” said ABL board member Kelly Harris. “There’s jewelry, gift baskets, quilted handbags and purses; a great variety of

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perfect Christmas presents.”

For this year’s event there are plans for “characters,” such as The Candy Man, The School Marm, Balloon Man and Santa Claus, to mingle with festivalgoers.

Children can expect to find

attractions such as the Human Water Balls, the Trackless Train and Inflatables. The ABL is still early in the planning stages, but children at previous festivals have enjoyed a bounce house, giant pinball, bungee swings and more.

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Leon Barrows with the Music Junction in High Springs is in charge of the musical entertainment for the festival and will be running the sound. As in previous years, there will be a wide variety of local musicians.

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The ABL encourages Community Organizations to participate free of charge to provide information and services to visitors.

“Our festival goal is to showcase our charming downtown, our friendly local entrepreneurs and to encourage local networking by friends and neighbors sharing their

62 | Autumn 2011

interests and passions with other friends and neighbors and visitors who are lucky enough to discover us,” said ABL board member Rosanne Morse. “And to raise funds for a college scholarship for a Santa Fe High School senior, which we have done since 2003.”

This event is presented by the

Alachua Business League, whose mission is to promote businessto-business support, organize events and activities to promote local business, and to maintain a business development network. s For more info, visit www.alachuabusiness.com/festivals

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FALL FESTIVALS There’s a wide variety of festivals happening nearby this fall. Get out there and enjoy.

GFAA Art Festival at Thornebrook Thornebrook Village, Gainesville Sept. 24 10 a.m.

There are 140 spaces for fine art and fine craft.

Walk through the connecting breezeways and stroll through this open-air village. Thornebrook Village Shopping Center is billed as shopping in a park.

T-shirt design contests, local arts and crafts, games, Bungee Jump, a bounce house, a children’s program, face painting, live music and local food.

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Florida Monarch Festival Greathouse Butterfly Farm, Earleton Sept. 24 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

“We Preserve What We Know,” presented by Greathouse Butterfly Farm, features a two-hour educational program with national Monarch experts.

There will be a Monarch butterfly tagging and release. Learn about certified Monarch Gardens and Way Stations, or participate in the Most Beautiful Butterfly Wings contest.

There are also poster and

The Abbey Horse Festival Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, Ocala Oct. 1-2 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

A multifaceted spectator event for the whole family.

There will be many different horse exhibitions, vendors, clowns, con-

Bluegrass Festival Rodeheaver Boys’ Ranch, Palatka Oct. 6-8 Noon - 10 p.m.

The festival is a three-day outdoor event under a covered pavilion, featuring the top names in bluegrass music.

Tickets at the gate are $35 per day; the threeday special is $85. www. aandabluegrass.com

Folk Festival Ferran Park, Eustis Oct. 8-9 10 a.m.

A two-day folk music event with folk arts and food vendors in historic downtown Eustis.

Up to seven stages of continuous music, contra dance, a children’s area, demonstrations and workshops. 352-357-8555. lakecountyfolkfest.com

tinuous live entertainment and food. Buy a ticket one day and get in the next day free. Children under 12 and servicemen with ID get in free. theabbeyhorsefestival.com

Jazz Up Dunnellon!

E & W Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon Oct. 15 10 a.m.

There are all types of jazz styles spaced along the

tree-lined main street, and Cajun/creole street.

Food vendors add to excitement.

Orange Park Arts & Crafts Show Orange Park Town Hall, Orange Park Oct. 15 10 a.m.

This year will be the 29th Annual Event, and it will be bigger and better than ever. Two full days filled with food, fun, crafts, vendors and entertainment.

Magnoliafest Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground, Live Oak Oct. 20 10 a.m.

A festival of American roots music featuring over 40 national, regional, and local performers on 8 stages in a beautiful setting with onsite camping, a great festival vending village and a great family event. www.musicliveshere.com

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Heart of Florida Asian Festival The Thomas Center, Gainesville Oct. 22 10 a.m.

The Heart of Florida Asian Festival is the region’s only Asian cultural event. Featuring top entertainment, a large food court, vendors and cultural exhibits. gvlculturalaffairs.org

Sacred Earth Bazaar Sacred Earth Center, Gainesville Oct. 22 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Healers, vendors, food and fun - stones and crystals, gemstone jewelry, handmade soap, fairies, dragons, mystical arts, Aline Harris art, Kat Harris art, psychic readers, Quantum Biofeedback, Reiki with stones and crystals, energy healing with stones and crystals, chair massage and more.

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Ocala Arts Festival McPherson Governmental Complex, Ocala Oct. 22 10 a.m.

A fun weekend of fine art in an artist friendly

environment. 601 SE 25th Ave. 352-671-8465

ButterflyFest Florida Museum of Natural History Oct. 22-23 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The ButterflyFest will feature tours, presentations, a Monarch Watch, workshops, as well as other displays and contests. The ButterflyFest is designed to raise awareness about butterflies and offer a call to action for the conservation and preservation of backyard wildlife and habitats. flmnh.ufl.edu/ butterflyfest

Pumpkin Run Castro Farms, Ocala Oct. 28-30 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Children’s Home Society of Florida is honored be part of the inaugural Ocala Pumpkin Run Classic Car Show, October 28-30! The Pumpkin Run is positioned to be one of Florida’s premier car shows hosting an estimated 3,000 vehicles on Castro Farms. Car enthusiasts and spectators will enjoy 3 days of amazing classic cars.

Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., join CHS for a day of fun, family-friendly activities.

Bring your kids over for arts and crafts, games, and more! A portion of

the proceeds will benefit CHS. Price: $12/day for adults; children 11 and under are free. ocalapumpkinrun.com

Bear Creek Music & Art Festival Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground, Live Oak Nov. 11 - 13 The Bear Creek Music and Art Festival proudly returns to the magical Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. Please Join us for three days of music, art, camping and community as we gather along the banks of the famous Suwannee River. PreParty Information for 11/9 and 11/10 will be available soon. www.musicliveshere.com

Downtown Festival & Art Show Downtown Gainesville Nov. 12 10 a.m.

The nationally recognized Festival transforms downtown Gainesville into a venue for award-winning artists and draws a crowd of more than 100,000.

Presented by the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, the

festival celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2011. For two days, visitors can leisurely stroll through historic downtown and marvel at works from more than 250 of the nation’s most talented artists, who display their original oils and acrylics, vibrant watercolors, captivating sculptures, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics and vivid photography. Guests at the show can interact with artists while getting a head start on holiday shopping by purchasing one-of-a-kind artwork.

They can also savor local and international cuisine and listen to live music performed on three stages. Downtown Festival & Art Show has risen dramatically in national rankings. For the past three years, Sunshine Artist magazine has recognized the festival as one of the top 30 fairs and festivals in the country, naming it No. 30 in 2009. Greg Lawler’s Art Fair SourceBook also ranked the festival as one of the top 100 fine art festivals in the nation.

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COLUMN >> ALBERT ISAAC

Different Note I remember those rolling mountains and the roar of the Watauga River. remember fields of green and blackberries ripe for the picking.

I’m a Miami Native, so the first time I saw the mountains I was in awe. This was something entirely new for a child of the flatlands. I had found paradise. Miami has its own treasures but no mountains. And every year I’m drawn back to visit the vacationland of my youth.

I was a very lucky child. Nearly every summer my family would load up the car and head to mountains of North Carolina. That was a long drive back in those days. And as we grew close, each of us kids hoped to be the first to spot a mountain off in the distance.

“There’s one!”

“No, that’s a foothill.”

A mountain would come into view.

“There! Now that’s a mountain! Can I have some gum?”

Chewing gum helped clear the ears.

Looking out the car window into deep valleys we’d see sheer drops. Beautiful. Frightening. Ear popping.

We were almost there.

Nestled within the green of summer growth, icy babbling brooks cut through the landscape and coursed down the mountain into the river. In those streams we would spend hours hunting for crawdads, our bare feet cold in the water, balanced on sand and rock.

Or we’d be at the river. Jumping into the swimming hole. Swinging from the rope, plunging into the icy water. It was bottomless I was told, the water dark and foreboding if I thought about it too much.

We’d drift lazily downriver, floating on inner tubes.

And then we’d brave the rapids, sliding across slippery rocks. Bouncing. Splashing. Laughing.

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At night the lightning bugs would emerge, their blue-green bioluminescent glow beckoning us to chase them, catch them, put them in jars.

During the day we’d hunt snakes. There were not as many as when Dad was a boy exploring this very river.

He had told stories of snakes in abundance, sunning themselves on the warm rock.

On my grandparent’s mountain, it was always a family affair. Sisters. Brothers. Cousins. Aunts and uncles. Parents and grandparents. To me it was a magical land. It still is.

There’s a narrow winding road that led to a country store. Every summer my brothers and sister and I would walk that road to buy maple sugar. The old wooden building was perched half-off the mountain above the river.

Inside was a post office. A five and dime. Bottles of Nehi and Crush soda. The floors creaked. And it was awesome.

We’d hike the mountains and run in the yard. We’d pick crabapples, sit on the porch and listen to tales of days long gone. Dad would put a watermelon in the stream to chill and then we’d picnic on the Big Rock beside the old home. Once we had camped in the little cabin Dad built as a teen. We’d roast marshmallows and tell ghost stories.

And with Mom and Dad we’d ride the train at Tweetsie Railroad, dressed as cowboys, shooting bad guys who were trying to rob the train. And then we’d hear stories of olden days when Tweetsie had actually chugged along the mountainside past my grandparents’ old cabin, on the other side of the river. My imagination takes me through the mists of time and I can hear its shrill whistle echoing through the valley.

These memories of vacations with my family are forever etched into my memory. They are part of me.

And I am grateful for them; grateful for the many gifts my parents have bestowed.

And now, I am the parent — indeed, I am the grandparent. And as I describe these old days I realize I am also describing the present days, vacationing with my kids and grandkids.

One of the many blessings of parenthood is reliving childhood memories through the eyes of our children.

I’m so lucky to have hiked those mountains and hunted those crawdads with my own children — and now my grandchildren. Making and sharing those memories is truly the gift that keeps giving, an offering that benefits all.

Holding their little hands as we hike the mountains together. Teaching them how to skip stones, just as Dad had shown me so many years ago. Catching frogs.

Chasing butterflies. Picking wild berries and catching fireflies. Playing in streams and rolling down hills.

Living in the moment as if that’s all there is.

To quote Carly Simon: “These are the good old days.”

And when I’m thinking right, I remember this. s

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>> MILITARY

Helping Veterans The All American Liberty Fest Honors Veterans, Raises Funds

BY MARY KYPREOS eteran’s Day is just around the corner. But it is important to remember that veterans do not disappear or lose importance on every other day.

Soldiers will still be working the day before, the day after and every day other, as will former military men and women who once protected this country, served proudly, and made sacrifices while fulfilling their duties.

As their memories of their service stay with them year-round, those who have not experienced military duty should take a moment to reflect, help out or simply say “thank you” on days that are not nationally set aside.

“It is so important to show gratitude and appreciation to people who have sacrificed and put their lives on the line in the name of freedom. That is what truly determines the character of our nation,” said Veteran Advocate Lauren Cook from the Santa Fe College Veterans Affair.

Taking that idea to heart, the organizers, supporters, participants and volunteers behind the second annual All American Liberty Fest strive for the year-round benefits of veterans, and ultimately the community.

“The All American Liberty Fest is a special day set aside to welcome home our military servicemen and

V

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women and celebrate, but also commemorate and mourn others. The resources out there are to foster a positive transition from military life to civilian, and help steer veterans in a healthy direction for their future,” Cook said.

Occurring on Nov. 6, the weekend before Veterans Day, the fest grew out of the annual Bikers on Parade event, the proceeds of which benefited veteran groups,

Veteran’s benefits are constantly changing, not all veterans know what is out there that could be beneficial for them and their families. said Leland Drew Hill, a veteran advocate of SFC Veterans Affairs. After the event was discontinued, veterans visited with student veterans and asked them to organize a new fundraiser.

“We wanted a hugely patriotic, family oriented festival that would connect vets with vital resources, generate funds to help expand our Kanapaha Park

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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KANAPAHA PARK UPDATE The Veterans Memorial at Kanapaha Park serves as a memorial to wars and conflicts fought by the men and women of the United States Military. A walk through the park reveals the names of various wars measured by height in bricks that represent the causalities of that war.

The latest war represented in the memorial is the Persian Gulf War of the early 1990s. After the war on terror finally ends, it too will need to be added to recognize military sacrifices; however, the memorial faces its own problem that will need to be solved: it is running out of space.

With a 10-year goal in mind and an estimated cost of $100,000, look for fundraising ideas and events in the future to expand Alachua County’s own veterans memorial, ensuring room in the future to recognize the sacrifices of local and national military men and women.

Information Courtesy of Leland Drew Hill, Veteran Advocate, Santa Fe College Veterans Affairs

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Memorial, and create a venue in which veterans organizations could raise money to sustain themselves throughout the year,” Cook said.

With one All American Liberty Fest a declared success, and one on the way, the event still grows, both in activities, donations and hopefully participation.

“I would love to see veterans come who have no idea what they can get,” Hill said. “We want them to know what they are eligible for and to enroll with that.”

This year’s event will feature the Custom Car and Motorcycle Show, perfect for lovers of cars or those with a special car to show off; the Flag Ceremony, featuring three generations of veterans and local children raising a new 30 by 60 foot flag; Veterans Row, showcasing veteran groups and benefits around Alachua County; music

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JASON GARNER

“Our nation’s veterans need to know they are appreciated, honored and loved,” said Lauren K. Cook, Veteran Advocate at Santa Fe College Veterans Affairs. “No amount of thanks can equal the sacrifi ces made. All of us here at home enjoy a way of life that has come at a very high price for our nation’s heroes. They deserve the utmost respect for this, and sadly, do not always receive it. We expect a great deal more attendance this year and in subsequent years, so we have more activities, music, food and resources. We are going to keep nurturing this event.”

from Sin Waggin, The Philman Band, Mid Life Crisis and others; as well as a children’s play center, rock climbing wall, food venders and more.

“We are trying to promote

individual pieces that all come together in one day in a festival atmosphere,” Hill said.

Although the festive attractions will certainly be a fun distraction the day of the event, do not forget that its main purpose is fundraising.

“It was started to support veterans organizations in Alachua County,” he said. “We hope to raise money for veterans causes in the county, and we hope to create an event for other groups to come and raise money for their groups.”

A couple of the ways they raise money before the event is through marketing and sponsorships.

With only 4-5 months to plan the first event last year, it grossed about $15,000, Hill said. This year, they have already surpassed that amount.

“Each year we strive for more sponsorship to keep the Liberty Fest growing in order to reach veterans farther away. We want to touch those servicemen and women in the nooks and crannies, and fold them back into the community,” Cook said.

Although Liberty Fest raises money for veterans, it is not the only group doing so at the Fest. Around Veteran’s Row, veterans groups will not only be around to answer questions, but also sell their own toys, trinkets and products to raise money for their groups.

Last year, Build-A-Bears could be found, along with homemade jewelry and t-shirts, among other things.

Along with fundraising, Hill said the Fest is a great way for veterans to stay informed of the benefits they earned while serving in the military.

Because veteran’s benefits are constantly changing, not all veterans know what is out there that could be beneficial for them and their families. The goal of the event, therefore, is to ensure they have a family- and community-friendly way to find out about both veteran groups in the area and benefits available.

“They can meet the leaders of the veterans’ community and know what’s out there if they want to become involved,” he said.

Furthermore, the fest is an important event for veterans because they can enroll in benefits that day at the fest.

“Family comes first for a lot of these guys, so creating the opportunity for them to enroll [in benefits] is our goal,” Hill said. “We would like to at least tell them what they have.”

Cook added: “We have resources to provide for them, and in a lot of cases, it can turn around lives. We live in a very patriotic community and this gives us an opportunity to let that shine!” s

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>> O’LENO STATE PARK

Alligator Warrior Reenacting the Second Seminole War Battle of San Felasco Hammock

BY ALYSON LANDRY nly a thin strip of bright yellow caution tape separates one century from another. On one side, the young and old in comfortable cotton clothes face in one direction with rapt attention. On the other, the deafening sound of a canon interrupts bursts of gunfire as Native Americans tactically move behind trees and under palmettos in a battle against the U.S. Army.

Heavy gunfire on both sides causes smoke to fill the air and drift with the sun through the trees. The battle rages on, but the Seminoles realize retreat into the hammock is the best option for now.

It might have gone differently had the U.S. not been on horses, which the Seminoles did not anticipate when luring them to their chosen battlefield, which is now Alachua County.

The Second Seminole War Battle of San Felasco Hammock is

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reenacted as close to the actual event on Sept. 18, 1836 as possible, said reenactor Paul Rowley, aka Big Turtle. Rowley is also the secretary of the nonprofit volunteer group, Alligator Festival of Lake City, Inc., that hosts the festival each year.

The reenactment is based on the congressional record’s military report and Native American writings. However, horses are not included.

The Alligator Warrior Festival is hosted at O’leno State Park on the weekend of Oct. 14 - 16 this year. Set in the early 19th Century, the festival celebrates Alligator Town (now Lake City), current and past Native American culture, and educates the public with living history.

This year, the festival will be bigger with three venues in separate areas: the modern vendors and auctions, the Native American gathering and the full-scale reenactment, said Doug Vasco, aka Blackwater Bear of the Choctaw and Creek Nations, who is also a part of

the nonprofit group.

“The setting is absolutely beautiful,” Vasco said, referring to the state park.

Last year about 1,200 visitors came, according to park ticket sales.

This year, however, a bigger turnout is expected because the festival will not fall on the same weekend as a Gator home game, the World Series and Halloween.

Not only did the general public show up, but about 12 Native American nations came as well, including the Mohawk, Seminole and Creek, Vasco said.

“Events like this show Native pride and understanding between Native American communities,” said Rowley, who is also a tribal member of the community.

The whole event is about teaching history from 150 years ago, through the senses.

This can be experienced immediately upon stepping onto the festival grounds full of vendors, craftsmen and several period camps.

PHOTO BY ALYSON LANDRY

A Native American war reenactor yells out to the other Seminoles hiding behind trees and bushes while reloading his gun during the battle.

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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PHOTO BY ALYSON LANDRY

Kenneth Wood, aka Hawk Wood, crouches to take cover during the Battle of San Felasco Hammock at Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;leno State Park on Sunday Oct. 31, 2010.

Visitors can watch soap being made from scratch, walk by a spinner making thread to pass to the loomer, or listen to the sound of coopers banging out barrels and buckets.

The craftsmen and women are only part of the 80 volunteers who

76 | Autumn 2011

come to educate the visitors and enjoy themselves.

Volunteers also set up and live in their 1830s period camps, which is like walking back in time to marvel at the way settlers in Alligator Town cooked in tin pots and lived in conditions many cannot imagine.

The volunteers make their own clothing and possessions or buy it themselves. Vasco, who travels throughout the state to various events like this one, said they volunteer because they love doing this.

Entertainment includes cloggers, other modern dances, and impromptu jam sessions by the volunteers in the period camps and fiddlers from the FiddleWorks Keili Kids of Ocala.

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Local businesses, donations, and other sponsors fund the festival so vendors and volunteers can concentrate on education instead of profit.

According to alligatorfest.com and Rowley, Alligator Town was renamed Lake City in 1859, which was the seat of government at the time in Columbia County. Settlers formed Alligator Town after Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821.

Alligator Town was adjacent to Alligator Village, the Native American community made up of Creek refugees and the Seminole, but collectively called Seminoles.

Due to the Treaty of Moultrie Creek in 1823, the Native Americans were forced to move to a reservation spanning from Ocala to Tampa.

Nine years later, as a part of the Indian Removal Act, the U.S. wanted the Seminoles to move yet again to what is now Oklahoma. Most refused to leave, including Alligator Warrior, who was one of the great residents of Alligator Village.

He and other warriors decided to go to war, including Micanopy, Osceola, King Philip, Sam Jones

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and Wildcat. The first battle of the Second Seminole War was fought on Dec. 28, 1835. The Seminoles attacked Maj. Francis L. Dade and his men on the way to Fort King from Fort Brooke.

This battle is also known as the Dade Massacre because only three U.S. men survived.

Alligator Warrior was not thought to be present at the Battle of San Felasco Hammock. While seven men and six horses fighting for the U.S. were wounded during the battle, only one U.S. soldier and one horse died from their wounds.

The soldiers could not confirm any Seminole casualties because the Seminoles did not leave anyone on the battlefield, Rowley said.

The Alligator Warrior Festival is named after this Native American and was originally held in Lake City when it first started in 1995, according to the website.

But Rowley said the organization wanted the festival to be more inclusive and go beyond Columbia County, so it is now hosted at O’leno State Park, which is located on the

PHOTO BY ALYSON LANDRY

The Native American reenactors line up after the battle to give a moment of silence and gun salute to those who were wounded and killed in the Second Seminole War.

lines of Alachua County, where the battle took place, and Columbia County, where both Alligator Town and Village were located.

Parades, musicians and performances will be happening all three days, but the Battle of San Felasco Hammock will only be reenacted on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

“Besides teaching our children, [the festival] teaches new families to the area,” Rowley said. “They won’t hear this anywhere else.” s

Alligator Warrior Festival October 14 - 16 8:00am - 5:00pm O’leno State Park Cost of park admission

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A DVE RTI S E M E N T

DON’T LEAVE YOURSELF

High and Dry KNOWING THE SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

T

he hot summer months can take their toll on anyone, but for seniors the threat is especially dangerous.

“Dehydration is a significant issue with the elderly,” said Jami Proctor, a clinical manager at Mederi Caretenders of Gainesville. “It can occur in less than eight hours and it’s a significant reason for hospitalization. Approximately 18 percent of seniors admitted to a hospital for dehydration die within 30 days.”

Seniors often have a decreased level of perspiration, a delayed sense of thirst or decreased senses of taste and smell.

Medications can suppress hunger or thirst.

And even in hot weather many seniors choose not to use air conditioning, opting instead to open windows or turn on fans to avoid high energy bills or a house that feels too cold for them.

Caretenders personnel educate seniors and caregivers on the signs of dehydration and ways to avoid it. Some obvious symptoms may include increased confusion or disorientation, fainting, headaches and dryness of the nose and mouth.

“The tongue can get sticky or tacky, and the skin loses elasticity,” Proctor explained. “If you pinch the skin up and it very slowly goes back down, that is a

sign of dehydration.”

Left unchecked, dehydration can lead to complications such as stroke or heart failure. Yet the danger can be averted with simple planning. Proctor suggests providing attractive containers such as colorful glasses and pitchers to entice clients to drink fluids, or adding a little fruit to water to give variety in appearance and flavor.

“Have things prepared ahead of time and placed where seniors can easily reach them,” said Proctor. “Call them through the day and monitor their eating and drinking habits.”

Water does not have to be the only option; liquids that are low in sugar can help keep dehydration at bay. Incorporate plenty of fruit, vegetables and other foods with high water content into the diet. Sugar-free popsicles and smoothies are also good ways to get fluids into a senior’s diet.

Save outdoor activities for the early morning or evening when temperatures are lower, and wear a hat and loose fitting, cotton clothes that allow skin to breathe. If a senior shows signs of heat stroke – high body temperature, rapid pulse and vomiting – get him or her to a hospital immediately.

With a little knowledge and some preventive measures, independent seniors can still enjoy “the good old summertime!”

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Taste of the Town

SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL 352.372-5468 FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION.

Gator Q 222 NE First Avenue, High Springs, FL 32643 Monday — Saturday: 11:30am - 8:00pm

386-454-9823

www.GatorQ.com

BARBECUE — Gator Q is a neighborhood BBQ joint using local black jack oak soaked in apple cider for smoking pork, turkey, St. Louis ribs, split chickens, and chicken wings, with the occasional beef brisket thrown in for good measure.

Brette and Bob ‘Yogi’ Liebler serve made from scratch collards with attitude, bold BBQ beans, gourmet Mac-n-cheese, and a dill and ranch potato salad that will get in your craw and leave you craving more. They’re open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Check them out online at www.gatorq.com or follow them on Facebook. Ask your friends — the food really is that good!

Kazbor’s Grille 14209 W. Newberry Rd., Newberry • 352.331.6161 16135 US HWY 441, Alachua • 386.418.8078 Open 7 Days a Week — 11am till late!

www.kazborsgrille.com EXCITING, FUN, FAMILY ORIENTED SPORTS GRILLE — Featuring a diverse and delicious menu. We still have the best wings in Gainesville with ten different flavors to choose from. Many other delicious items such as burgers, salads, pasta, nachos, fajitas, sandwiches and our NEW items such as hummus, gyros, Key West Krab cakes and the newset craze — pork wings. Wine selection, spirits, draft beer and daily drink specials. Home of all your Gator games. Multiple big screen TV’s, NFL Sunday Ticket. Come for food, stay for the fun!

Brown’s Country Buffet 14423 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua, FL 32616 Monday-Friday: 7am - 8pm Saturday: 7am - 2pm Sunday: 8am - 2:30pm

386-462-3000 Brown’s Country Buffet is country-style cooking at its finest, just like Grandma’s house! A buffet style restaurant, Brown’s Country Buffet is open seven days a week! Foods like fried chicken, grilled pork chops, real mashed potatoes, steamed cabbage, banana pudding and coconut pie, just to name a few, are served in a laid back, relaxing environment. In addition to their buffet, Brown’s also offers a full menu to choose from. You are sure to find something to satisfy any craving at Brown’s. Located in beautiful Alachua, Brown’s is open 7 days per week. Serving lunch and dinner daily and a breakfast buffet Friday-Sunday until 10:30am, you’re sure to leave satisfied, no matter when you go. So, when you’re in the mood for some good home cooking, Grandma’s style, visit Brown’s Country Buffet.

Flying Biscuit Café 4150 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32605 Located in the Fresh Market Center Mon - Thurs: 7am - 3pm • Fri - Sun: 7am - 4pm

352-373-9500

www.flyingbiscuit.com

BREAKFAST — The Flying Biscuit is out to reinvent breakfast in Gainesville! Maybe you’ve tried their soon-to-be-famous creamy, dreamy grits or their “moon dusted” breakfast potatoes, but did you know you can have them at anytime? With a unique open menu, all the items that appear are available throughout the day. With a variety of healthy and hearty dishes, The Flying Biscuit caters to a variety of tastes. With options ranging from the Smoked Salmon Scramble, the Bacon Cheddar Chicken Sandwich or the Tofu and Tater Salad, there’s something for everyone.

Saboré 13005 SW 1st Road, Tioga, FL 32669 (Tioga Town Center) DINNER Sun – Thurs: 5pm - 10pm, Fri & Sat: 5pm - 11pm LUNCH Mon – Fri: 11am - 3pm BRUNCH - Sat & Sun: 9am - 3pm

352-332-2727

www.saborerestaurant.com

FUSION — Saboré [sa-bohr-ay] is a world-fusion restaurant featuring a variety of European, South American, Mediterranean and Asianinspired tastes. Saboré’s namesake is from the word “sabor,” meaning “flavor.” Executive Chef and Co-Owner William “Willy” Hernandez’s menu features mouth-watering dishes that takes guests on a trip around the world, highlighting exotic flavors and ingredients from countries such as Argentina, Japan, Greece and Italy. Be sure to try their custom plates, desserts and signature cocktails you won’t find anywhere else in Gainesville. Chef Willy has been heralded for his innovative culinary skills at famed establishments such as Caramelo Restaurant, Giacosa, Casa Rolandi and Café Vialetto.

Pepperoni’s 19975 NW 244 Street, High Springs (Video City Plaza) Mon-Thurs: 11am-9pm • Fri & Sat: 11am-10pm Sunday: 12pm-9pm

386-454-3858 PIZZERIA — Since its establishment in 2000, Pepperonis Pizzeria has been serving up some of the best pizzas, calzones, wings and salads in town using grande mozzarella and other top quality ingredients.

We have recently added new entrees, such as, lasagna, chicken parmesan and spaghetti and meatballs to our menu. We also have great lunch specials starting at just $5.99.

Pepperoni’s is locally owned and operated and is proud to serve the High Springs Community and surrounding areas. We are located in the Video City Plaza off U.S. Highway 441. When you buy a specialty pizza at Pepperonis it’s always fresh and loaded with great toppings.

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CALENDAR If you would like to have an event considered for publication in this calendar, please submit information directly. post 4400 NW 36th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32606 | e-mail editor@towerpublications.com | fax 352-373-9178

DELFOS DANZA COMTEMPORANEA Thursday, Sept. 15 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER Founded in 1992 by Mexican choreographers and dancers, Victor Manuel Ruiz and Claudia Lavista, Delfos Danza Contemporánea uses an introspective focus to create the images and movements of every work produced. Delfos believes the power of dance in art gives balance to the community, society and world we all live in.

352-392-ARTS

REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY Friday, Sept. 16 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER Experience the ESPN-type broadcast on stage without searching for it on TV, as a three-man comedy troupe teases America’s obsession with sports while impersonating its celebrities and bestknown announcers.

352-392-ARTS

UNITED DOWNTOWN Fridays, Sept. 16, 30; Nov. 18, 25 5:30pm - 10:00pm GAINESVILLE - SE 1st Street. United Way of North Central Florida presents a series of street festivals offering family fun, including a free ‘Kiddie Korner’ featuring face painting,

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a bounce house, arts and crafts and other children’s activities.

Events will be held before Gator home football games. There will also be an event on Friday, Nov. 4 from 1:30pm - 5:30pm.

www.unitedwayncfl.org

LITERACY DAY Saturday, Sept. 17 10:00am - 2:00pm HIGH SPRINGS - O’Leno State Park is celebrating Literacy Day with Magic and the Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses along with local authors and guest readers. There will be nature arts and crafts and games for young readers.

386-454-1853

YOUNG CONCERT ARTIST Thursday, Sept. 18 2:00pm PHILLIPS CENTER - DaXun Zhang is the first double bass player to win the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, and only the second double bassist in history to win an Avery Fisher Career Grant.

He has performed extensively with the Silk Road Project, including concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall and in Japan and California.

352-392-ARTS

BARBARA PADILLA Friday, Sept. 23 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER First runner-up of the biggest talent competition in the world, America’s Got Talent, soprano Barbara Padilla is back with Viviendo, her outstanding debut album dedicated to the sounds of Latin Bolero music and other international favorites, as well as three original songs. 352-392-ARTS

ALACHUA COUNTY HEART WALK Saturday, Sept. 24 7:30am - 11:00am NFRMC DUCK POND - 6500 W. Newberry Road.

The 2011 Alachua Heart Walk encourages people to take steps toward a heart healthy lifestyle while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke in our community. This event is open to the public, so please join us and invite your family and friends! 1-800-2576941 x8024

heavy concentration of artists from Gainesville and immediate area.

A program of local musical groups will be performing throughout the weekend.

Activities for children are available for the youngsters. 352-3770996 www.thornebrookart.org

HART SPRINGS NATURE FESTIVAL Saturday Sept. 24 9:00am - 5:00pm BELL - Hart Springs, 4240 SW 86 Ave. Showcasing the beauty of nature at a Florida springs, this event will include a bird watching tour, a native plant and tree tour on a 1/2 mile boardwalk, Master Gardeners, Institute of food and Agriculture Science (IFAS), FFA, and 4-H exhibits and displays. Food, nursery, and other vendors along with music and children’s entertainment. Entry fee is $2. 352-463-3444

www.hartsprings.com

SANTA FE COLLEGE GALA

THORNEBROOK ART FESTIVAL

Saturday, Sept. 24 2:00pm

Preview Party Friday, Sept. 23 6:00pm - 9:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Grand Opening for the new Performing Arts Hall.

Under the baton of Evans Haile, the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra will take part in Santa Fe’s opening of its new Performing Arts Hall. Public performance is 2:00pm and Black Tie Gala 6:30pm. www.gcomusic.org

FESTIVAL - SEPT. 24 - 25 10:00AM - 5:00PM GAINESVILLE Thornebrook Village, 2441 NW 43 Street.

This juried and judged festival will have 140 artists and fine craftsmen from around Florida with a

HARVEST HOEDOWN Sunday, Sept. 25 5:00pm GAINESVILLE - 7204 SE County Road 234.

Attend this kneeslapping hoedown to benefit Florida Organic Growers, a Gainesville-based non-profit promoting and supporting organic agriculture and healthy and just food systems since 1987. Music, food, art and a silent auction amongst the beautiful woods at Prairie Creek Lodge in the Paynes Prairie. The Price is $45. 352-377-6345 www.

foginfo.org

SWAMP CHOMP Friday, Sept. 30 7:00pm ARCHER - 9820 SW C.R. 346. Support Girls Place, Inc. at this casual tailgate party. Listen to live music while dining on barbecue.

Games, a silent auction, and more makes this a fun way to help provide girls a safe, nurturing environment where they can grow confident, strong and independent. Price: $50 per person.

352-373-4475

QUILT SHOW Saturday, Oct. 1 10:00am - 3:00pm NEWBERRY - Dudley Farm. Traditional, appliquéd, vintage, art quilts and quilted wearing apparel. Skilled crafters would love to see your quilt and hear its story. “Bed Turning” at 11am. Quilt experts will look at each quilt and discuss age, condition, colors and patterns. Enjoy traditional music throughout the day. $5.00 per vehicle up to 8 occupants.

352-472-1142

www.friendsofdudleyfarm.org

Inagural Florida Monarch Festival September 24th 10:00am - 3:00pm GREATHOUSE BUTTERFLY FARM, 20329 NE State Rte 26, Earleton “We Preserve What We Know” features a two-hour educational program with national Monarch experts. There will be a Monarch butterfly tagging and release. Learn about certified Monarch Gardens and Way Stations, or participate in the Most Beautiful Butterfly Wings contest. There are also poster and T-shirt design contests, local arts and crafts, games, Bungee Jump, a bounce house, a children’s program, face painting, live music and local food. 352-475-2088.

JANE MCGONIGAL

GO NATIVE PLANT SALE

Tuesday, Oct. 4 6:00pm

Saturday, Oct. 8 4:30pm - 6:30pm

HENSON ALTERNATIVE STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG

GAINESVILLE - UF Campus. Jane McGonigal, PhD, is an expert on alternate reality games and renowned game developer. She is the New York Times bestselling author of “Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World.” She has appeared at TED, the New Yorker, and the Web 2.0 summit, among others. Business Week has named her “one of the top 10 innovators to watch.

352-846-1575

GAINESVILLE Morningside Nature Center. Take advantage of the largest offering of native plants in North Florida. An exclusive member’s sale is on Friday, Oct. 7, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, and is open to members of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS), and Friends of Nature Parks (FNP) only. Memberships are available at the gate.

Only cash and checks are accepted.

352-334-2171

PHILLIPS CENTER - Prepare for an unpredictable evening as six expert puppeteers translate audience suggestions into an unforgettable variety show of hilarious songs and sketches. Under the direction of The Jim Henson Company, the world-renowned puppeteers are visible throughout, allowing the audiences to see the rare mechanics of their craft. These performances contain adult content that is not suitable for children. 352-392-ARTS

www.cityofgainesville.org

www.stuffedandunstrung.com

www.VisitOurTowns.com

Friday, Oct. 7 7:30pm

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CITY WIDE YARD SALE Saturday, Oct. 8 8:00am - Noon HIGH SPRINGS - James Paul Park. www.highsprings.

com

chamber works, with more than 25 compositions written for them by such significant composers as Gunther Schuller, Mario Davidovsky, Ezra Laderman and Mel Pow. 352-392-ARTS

SOLOIST RACHEL BARTON PINE, VIOLIN

THE TURN OF THE SCREW

Friday, Oct. 9 2:00pm

Wed., Oct. 12 - Nov. 6 Times Vary

PHILLIPS CENTER - The New York Chamber Soloists have a history of proven virtuosi that spans more than five decades. Since 1957, this 12-member ensemble of strings, winds and piano has maintained a rare niche in the chamber music world. Renowned for their creative programming and veteran musicianship, the New York Chamber Soloists have added substantially to the catalog of 20th-century

HIPPODROME THEATRE Based on the classic ghost story, this psychological thriller is a spectacular tourde-force. A young governess journeys to a lonely English manor house to care for two orphaned children in what she considers a dream job.

But her dream turns into a nightmare as the house’s spectral inhabitants soon reveal themselves.

352-375-4477

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www.thehipp.org

CNN SECURITY ANALYST PETER BERGEN Wed., Oct. 12 6:00pm UF CAMPUS - The Awakening: How Revolutionaries Barack Obama and Ordinary Muslims are Remaking the Middle East.

Journalist, author, and CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen will speak at the Bob Graham Center.

For more than 15 years, Peter Bergen has traveled throughout Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and more recently Iraq to report on national security and the al Qaeda network.

He is one of the few Westerners to have met the world’s mostwanted man, Osama bin Laden, face to face.

352-846-1575

ALLIGATOR FEST Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Oct. 14, 15, 16 9:00am - 5:00pm O’LENO STATE PARK Experience both a Native American gathering with dancers, musicians, artisans, and traders and a living history event that includes a reenactment of the 11 Sept. 1836 Seminole War Battle of San Felasco hammock.

Fun for entire family.

Cost of park admission.

386-454-1853

FIRE & ICE SOCIAL Friday, Oct. 14 6:00pm and 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Join friends in meeting Olympic Champion Bob Beamon, AOTO board members, Olympian/ Artist Liston Bochette III, and Cathy Oerter.

Delicious hot & cold hors d’oeuvres will

be provided and fine wine by Blue Water Bay. Meander into the theatre to watch pre-show company class on the mainstage.

Return during the first intermission to the Foyer for desserts

by Jenny Cakes. Held in the Fackler Foyer East, FIRE & ICE presents a platinum series- performance & event combined for $75.00 per person.

352-371-2986

NEWBERRY FALL MARKET FESTIVAL Saturday, Sunday Oct. 15 - 16 Times T.B.A. NEWBERRY - South Seaboard Road. Events include the BBQ Cook Off on Satuday.

352-472-2112 www.

Senior Center Ribbon Cutting

September 22nd

11:00 am

GAINESVILLE - Alachua County Senior Recreation Center, Northside Park, 5710 N.W. 34 St. Join in the celebration as Alachua welcomes its new Senior Recreation Center. RSVP requested. 352-265-9206 godmaa@shands.ufl.edu

Coon Hollo Corn Maze Sept. 30th - Oct. 30th

newberrymainstreet.org

OLD TIME DANCE

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Sunday, Oct. 16 2:00pm - 5:00pm O’LENO STATE PARK Family fun for all ages!

Dance contra, circles and squares to live music hosted by the Flying Turtles String Band in the 1930’s rec. hall located on the banks of the Santa Fe River. A caller will guide new and experienced dancers alike through a variety of dances.

These are the dances that were the rage in the mid 1800s when the town of Leno thrived. All ages. $3-$5.

386-454-1853

GAINESVILLE PRIDE PICNIC Sunday, Oct. 16 Noon - 3:00pm GAINESVILLE - Westside Park, 1001 NW 34th St. This community event celebrates our diversity and unity.

Lunch and beverages

MICANOPY - 22480 N. Hwy 441, Micanopy.

Hay rides, farmyard playground, obstacle course, and “Fort Coon Hollo.”

352-591-0441 www.coonhollocornmaze.com

will be available for a small donation. People may also bring picnic baskets and join us for fun and games. There will be some organized games such as frisbee, horseshoes, and volleyball. 352-377-8915

NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND Friday, Oct. 16 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - When the “scruffy, young jug-band” band from Southern California released Will the Circle

Be Unbroken in 1972, they solidified their mark in music history recording with some of their heroes, legends that included Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson and Mother Maybelle Carter. The album not only tied together two generations of musicians — at a time when the country was tearing itself apart — it also became a part of the American musical landscape.

Ultimately Will the Circle Be Unbroken was named one of the

www.VisitOurTowns.com

50 Greatest Albums of All-Time and is only one of 50 recordings to be honored and preserved by the Library of Congress.

352-392-ARTS

PANEL DISCUSSION ON SOARING VOICES Sunday, Oct. 16 1:30pm - 2:30pm HARN MUSEUM Perspectives on collecting contemporary

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Japanese ceramics.

Noted collectors Jeffrey and Carol Horvitz along with renowned art dealer, Joan Mirviss, will offer keen insights into their passion for Contemporary Japanese Ceramics, especially those by artists represented in the Soaring Voices exhibition.

352-392-9826

Dralion by Cirque du Soleil October 11-13 7:30 pm O’CONNEL CENTER - Fusing the 3000 year-old tradition of Chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of Cirque du Soleil, Dralion draws its inspiration from Eastern philosophy and its never-ending quest for harmony between humans and nature. The show’s name is derived from its two emblematic creatures: the dragon, symbolizing the East, and the lion, symbolizing the West.

In Dralion, the four elements that govern the natural order take on a human form. Thus embodied, each element is represented by its own evocative colour: air is blue; water is green; fire is red; earth is ochre.

In the world of Dralion, cultures blend, Man and Nature are one, and balance is achieved. 352-392-5500.

RED WHITE AND BLUE 4 YOU BBQ Thursday, Oct. 20 6:30pm - 10:00pm ALACHUA - Woman’s Club, 14656 S. Main St. Dinner, silent auction, door prizes. $50 donation benefiting the Military Support Group of Alachua County.

www.msgfac.com

ANDA UNION Friday, Oct. 20 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER Unearthing musical magic from the depths of Mongolian culture, AnDa Union is bringing new life to an all-butforgotten art. Rooted in the culture of tribes unified by Ghengis Khan, this group of young musicians is dedicated to preserving and promoting the essence of true Mongol music to the world.

352-392-ARTS

BUTTERFLYFEST

JUBILUS FALL GALA

Saturday, Oct. 22 1:00pm - 9:00pm

Friday, Oct. 21 7:30pm

BO DIDDLEY COMMUNITY PLAZA - Pride Parade steps off at 1:00pm at 7th Street and West University Ave. and proceeds down University Ave. to the downtown Bo Diddley Community Plaza.

The Festival, which is co-sponsored by the City of Gainesville, will have dozens of local musical acts and vendors lining the plaza from 2 to 9pm. A “Kids Space” will also be

GAINESVILLE - Holy Faith Church, 747 NW 43rd St. Enjoy an evening of choral and instrumental chamber music.

Preview concert of the Jubilus Music Festival, which will be returning for its 9th season in the spring of 2012.

Admission is free, but a donation of $15 at the door ($5 for students) is suggested, in support of the upcoming 2012 Jubilus Festival.

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Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 22, 23 10:00am - 5:00pm FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Explore the lives of bees, bats, birds and butterflies at ButterflyFest. 352-8462000 www.flmnh.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE PRIDE PARADE & FESTIVAL

available. The event is free and open to the public. 352-377-8915

HORSE FARM HUNDRED

A FAMILYFRIENDLY GHOST WALK

LOFTEN HIGH SCHOOL 3000 E. University Ave. Held annually by the Gainesville Cycling Club, the Horse Farm Hundred winds southward from Gainesville to Marion County and back, leading riders past the fenced horse farms and sprawling pastures of the area. www.gccfla.org

Saturday, Oct. 22 Time T.B.A. GAINESVILLE Morningside Nature Center. Come with family and friends for a night hike where you will meet ghosts from 1870 and hear about their lives in rural Florida.

HEART OF FLORIDA ASIAN FESTIVAL Saturday, Oct. 22 10:00am GAINESVILLE - Thomas Center. The Heart of Florida Asian Festival is the region’s only Asian cultural event. Featuring top entertainment, a large food court, vendors and cultural exhibits. 8,000 attendees expected.

352-334-5064

Sunday, Oct. 23 8:30am

REGINA CARTER’S “REVERSE THREAD” Friday, Oct. 23 4:00pm PHILLIPS CENTER Preeminent jazz violinist Regina Carter combines traditional African folk tunes with a contemporary flavor in her latest album, Reverse Thread. Carter exhibits her talents on the violin in addition

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SUMTER SWAP MEETS SR 471 & CR 48 • SUMTER COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS • BUSHNELL, FL

The First Sunday of Every Month

WINTER EXTRAVAGANZA

(Except July & August)

FEB. 17TH—19TH, 2012

CONTACT: CRAIGPEARSON_6@MSN.COM

800-438-8559 WWW.FLORIDASWAPMEETS.NET

Alachua

Children’s Theatre PRESENTS...

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz NOVEMBER 17 – 20 8:00pm

The Wind in the Willows DECEMBER 15 – 18 8:00pm

Call 352.672.2122 for more information Alachua Childrens’ Theatre @ Sprout Learning Resources 14911 Main Street • Alachua www.alachuachildrenstheatre.org

to an accordion and kora, which is a West African harp, to create an uplifting and stirring result. Reverse Thread exemplifies the enriching music of the African Diaspora while complementing Carter’s magnificent art of the violin. 352-392-ARTS

MARTINA FILJAK Friday, Oct. 25 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER Cleveland Piano Competition Winner.

One of the brightest instrumental talents to emerge from Croatia today, Martina Filjak’s repertoire includes more than 30 piano concertos and a wide spectrum of chamber music and solo literature ranging from the 17th century to contemporary artists.

352-392-ARTS

THE ARC OF ALACHUA COUNTY ANNUAL MEETING Thursday, Oct. 27 11:00am GAINESVILLE - UF Hilton, 1714 SW 34th St. A guest speaker, who will be determined, and information about The Arc of Alachua County will be presented.

352-334-4060 bharned@

Oct. 28, 29, and 30 Times/Venues vary GAINESVILLE - Punk music event, featuring Less Than Jake, Hot Water Music, Against Me! and hundreds more. www.

thefestfl.com

FALL FESTIVAL AND CAR SHOW Saturday, Oct. 29 8:00am - 5:00pm HIGH SPRINGS - See vintage automobiles by the Visitor Center and enjoy other family activities at the James Paul Park.

LUBEE BAT FESTIVAL Saturday, Oct. 29 10:00am - 4:00pm GAINESVILLE - 1309 NW 192nd Ave. The Lubee Bat Conservancy’s 7th Annual Bat Festival offers an opportunity to view giant fruit bats and enjoy the great outdoors while learning about how beneficial bats are to Florida’s environment and ecosystems worldwide.

352-485-1250 www.

batconservancy.org.

GARDENS OF GAINESVILLE TOUR Saturday, Oct. 29 9:00am

SHOP-DINESTROLL

MATHESON MUSEUM - The Keep Alachua County Beautiful tour will feature both public and private gardens in Gainesville and Alachua County. The last stop on the tour will be a luncheon reception and guided walk at the Matheson House Gardens. kristin.kacb@

Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 9, Dec. 16 6:00pm - 9:00pm

JEFF PETERSON

DOWNTOWN ALACHUA Come see Scare Crow Row and enjoy carriage rides, shopping and music in Theater Park on Alachua’s Historic Main Street.

PHILLIPS CENTER Originally from the island of Maui, guitar maestro Jeff Peterson grew up with a passion for the rich heritage

arcalachua.org

90 | Autumn 2011

THE FEST

gmail.com

Friday, Oct. 30 2:00pm

of Hawaiian music introduced to him by his father. Today, he is recognized as one of the most gifted slack key guitarists.

He has worked with many artists including Eric Clapton, Ledward Kaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;apana, James Galway, Michael Feinstein, the Honolulu Symphony and many other Hawaiian, classical and jazz musicians.

352-392-ARTS

Noche de Gala October 22nd 7:00 pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Midnight BESILU COLLECTION, Micanopy The Sebastian Ferrero Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual fundraising event. Following last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sold-out event of more than 1,000 guests, the Noche de Gala promises to be an evening packed with live entertainment, a silent auction, a Champion Paso Fino horse show, exquisite dining and much more!

The theme of Noche de Gala 2011 is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Enchanted.â&#x20AC;? Guests are encouraged to dress black tie. www.nochedegala.org

TRICK-OR-TREAT ON MAIN STREET Monday, Oct. 31 6:00pm - 8:00pm ALACHUA - Bring the kids to Main Street as shop owners distribute candy. 386-462-3333

BOO AT THE ZOO

College Teaching Zoo.

www.sfcollege.edu

BLACK & WHITE PARTY

Monday, Oct. 31 3:00pm - 7:00PM

Friday, Nov. 4 7:00pm - 10:00pm

GAINESVILE - Santa Fe

HIGH SPRINGS - ART

CO-OP, 115 North Main St. Enjoy food, refreshments and music at this black and white themed event. Each co-op member will exhibit two pieces of black and white art.

There will be drawings

throughout the night for other works of art by co-op members.

Art walk between 7pm and 9pm where several downtown businesses will be hosting other artists. 386-454-1808 or 386-588-4163

Your oral health is connected to many other health conditions beyond your mouth. Sometimes the first sign of a disease can show up in your mouth. In other cases, infections in your mouth, such as gum disease, can cause problems in other areas of your body.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keep your body healthy, have your head examined.â&#x20AC;?

The Altschuler Periodontic and Implant Center is Gainesvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family-based, high-technology practice dedicated to providing the highest quality periodontal care. We maintain the most advanced procedures, technology and equipment available to ensure that every patient achieves a healthy and beautiful smile.

of risk for any If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at should ou y s, on ti di these con : ontal exam have a period

Dr. Gary Altschuler, DMD

(352) 371-4141 altschulercenter.com

www.VisitOurTowns.com

ALTSCHULER

PERIODONTIC and IMPLANT

CENTER

Autumn 2011 | 91

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HARVEST FESTIVAL Sunday, Nov. 6 11:00am - 5:00pm

UV FREE Spray Tan State of the Art Tanning beds Advanced Skincare Products Bleach Bright Teeth Whitening System

FREE WEEK LEVEL 1 First Time Customers Only Offer Expires 12-15-11

386-518-6010 Alachua, Florida (Next to Moe’s)

tanusafl@aol.com

A Full Service Agency, Specializing in Cruises, Tours, and All Inclusives.

Lowest Price!

Best Value!

Cruise & Travel

Amazing Deals on Fall Cruises!

Judy Lake-Corey • 352-316-6066 www.lifestylecruiseandtravel.com

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS AT BEACHER’S LODGE TODAY! STAY WITH US WHEN YOU VISIT THE 17TH ANNUAL “NIGHT OF LIGHTS TRADITION” NOVEMBER 19TH — JANUARY 31ST 2012 WE ARE LOCATED JUST 10 MILES SOUTH OF THE HISTORIC AREA WHERE THE EVENT IS HELD

OCEANFRONT SUITES • KITCHENETTES • HEATED POOL

1-800-527-8849 WWW.BEACHERSLODGE.COM 6970 A1A SOUTH — ST. AUGUSTINE

92 | Autumn 2011

GATOR MUD RUN Sunday, Nov. 6 10:00am NEWBERRY - A 5k Mud Run in Alachua County with an obstacle course, cash prizes, music and free T-shirts!

A kids’ course will provide fun for whole family. Registration begins soon. gatormudrun@

gmail.com

WE BEAT INTERNET PRICING EVERYDAY

Life Style

ALACHUA - Enjoy food and live music, arts and crafts, children activities, rides, games and more. 386-4629552. www.alachuabusiness.com

INTERPRETI VENEZIANI Friday, Nov. 6 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER Experience the all-Italian brio and musical mastership of Interpreti Veneziani.

This ensemble of virtuosic musicians is famed for delivering the romanticism and exuberance of Venice, Italy, and the city’s classic Baroque music to audiences all around the world.

352-392-ARTS

AUDRA MCDONALD Friday, Nov. 8 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Winner of four Tony Awards, Broadway legend Audra McDonald returns to the concert stage to enlighten audiences with her unique, classically trained soprano voice.

The two-time Grammy award winner and star of the ABC television hit series Private Practice will perform an intimate evening of favorite show tunes.

352-392-ARTS

BUCHHOLZ HIGH SCHOOL BAND CONCERT Friday, Nov. 10 7:00pm PHILLIPS CENTER - A Veterans Day Musical Salute in honor of those who have served in the armed forces. With Master of Ceremonies, Richard Drake (Florida’s 89.1 Morning Edition Host), the Veterans Day Program will include performances by the Buchholz High School Golden Regiment Marching Band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band, and patriotic dance features by Aviance Dance Ensemble.

352-392-ARTS

ÓRLA FALLON Nov. 10 and 11 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Orla Fallon a member of Celtic Woman, embarks on a novel journey, touring and performing works from her new solo album, Distant Shore. Originally from Ireland, Fallon has toured internationally, selling out well-known venues across the United States, including New York’s Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, Boston’s Opera House and the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

352-392-ARTS

FRIDAY NIGHT BLUES CONCERT Friday, Nov. 11 7:00pm to 11:00pm BO DIDDLEY COMMUNITY PLAZA - Friday night kicks off the Downtown Festival and Art show with a blues concert presented by the North Central Florida Blues Society. Come enjoy musical entertainment made for the entire family. 352-393-8536

DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL & ART SHOW

The John Oates Band

Saturday, Nov. 12 - 13 10:00am - 5:00pm

Oct. 28th

GAINESVILLE - North Central Florida’s premier fall festival of the arts. A juried fine art show with 250 of the nation’s best artists, three stages of entertainment, blues concert and free children’s hands-on art activity area. www.

7:30 pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Best known as half of the duo Hall & Oates, John Oates has recorded 21 albums, sold more than 80 million units, scored 10 numberone records, toured the world for decades and was inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame, among other honors.

gvlculturalaffairs.org

352-392-ARTS

CHARITABLE GOLF SCRAMBLE Saturday, Nov. 12 8:30am GAINESVILLE - Ironwood Golf Course, 2100 NW 39th Ave. The Hole-In-One Sponsor is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Gainesville. In 2010, the event raised an estimated $26,000 for breast cancer awareness & community service programs. Without the support from the community, there would not be as much success in giving back.

For more information visit www.twentypearls. org or search Twenty Pearls Charitable Golf Scramble on Facebook to stay updated! Price: $100 for singles, $400 for a team of four.

352-334-3120

CAROLINE GOULDING, VIOLIN Friday, Nov. 13 2:00pm PHILLIPS CENTER Another Young Concert Artist discovery brings Caroline Goulding’s technical polish and thoughtful interpretation center stage. At age 13, she

won the Concerto Competition at the Aspen Festival, soon embarking on an orchestral career with engagements alongside the Detroit Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Louisville Youth Orchestra.

352-392-ARTS

DEMAND DOCUMENTARY Sunday, Nov. 13 5:00pm - 10:00pm GAINESVILLE - Nadine Mcguire Pavilion.

F.I.G.H.T. and the UF Chapter of Free the Slaves are partnering to bring awareness about sex trafficking and the link between pornography and the commercial sex industry. There will be a showing of the documentary “Demand” produced by Shared Hope International.

This documentary investigates the role that the commercial sex industry plays in the business of trafficking women and children to become sexual slaves.

352-392-1649

GROUNDCOVERS & TURF ALTERNATIVES Thursday, Nov. 17 7:30pm ALACHUA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE - If parts of your lawn aren’t growing well, because of too much shade or other problems, maybe ground covers would be a good alternative.

Come learn which ground cover would work best in your yard.

352-337-6209

MUNICH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Thursday, Nov. 17 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Serving as the bastion of Germany’s performing arts, the Munich Symphony Orchestra is recognized for its excellence in music by audiences, critics and international media, alike. The Munich Symphony Orchestra returns to the States under the exceptional leadership of Principal Guest Conductor, Philippe Entremont. During the 2011-2012 season, the Munich Symphony

www.VisitOurTowns.com

will be performing Mozart’s Requiem with Gloriae Dei Cantores.

352-392-ARTS

OPEN HOUSE AND TREE LIGHTING Friday, Nov. 18 5:00pm - 8:00pm HIGH SPRINGS - The Merchant Open House (all the downtown stores) will take place from 5-8 with the Chamber of Commerce Annual Tree Lighting at dark. Come enjoy the cool weather, see the tree lighting and visit the shops. There will be choirs before and after.

CROSS CREEK FESTIVAL Saturday, Nov. 19 9:00am MARJORIE RAWLINGS PARK - The festival raises funds for the tri-community fire department. Fun for the whole family includes: delicious Florida foods, bake sale, arts and craft vendors and entertainment. Old Time Activities (story telling, turkey shoot, etc.) will be held. A beautiful scenic ride.

352-466-3353 www.

crosscreekfestival.com Autumn 2011 | 93

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GATORS MARCH FOR BABIES Sunday, Nov. 20 1:00pm

Hot/cold drinks and dessert provided. Free parking. 352-692-5264

www.floridashine.org

UF CAMPUS - Turlington Plaza. Gators March for Babies is the country’s first collegiate walk benefiting the March of Dimes, and is hosted by the March of Dimes Collegiate Council in partnership with the University of Florida.

Join the eight annual Gators March for Babies. This year the aim is to raise at least $100,000 to help all babies have healthy births. 352-378-9522

www.gatorsmarchforbabies.org

MEDICARE 101 Tuesday, Nov. 22 Noon GAINESVILLE - Florida Farm Bureau Building , 5700 SW 34th Street, Suite 222, Gainesville.

Are you turning 65?

Do you have questions about Medicare? Do you have SS Disability?

Are you struggling to pay your Medicare or prescription drug premiums? Come to a free class on Medicare and talk to a Medicare counselor from SHINE. Class is offered on the 4th Tuesday of the months of August thru Nov.: August 23, Sept.

27, Oct. 25, and Nov. 22.

Bring your own lunch.

MY FAIR LADY Wednesday, Nov. 23 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Big League Productions Inc. presents a sparkling new production of the musical by which all others are measured.

The show’s 1956 Broadway production was a smash hit, setting a new record for the longest run of any major theater production in history.

It was followed by a hit London production, a popular film version starring Audrey Hepburn, which won eight Academy Awards, and numerous revivals.

My Fair Lady has been called “the perfect musical.” 352-392-ARTS

CHRISTMAS WITH AARON NEVILLE Friday, Nov. 25 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - An intimate evening with Aaron Neville as he celebrates more than 50 years in the recording industry.

He scored his first hit in 1966 with the R & B classic, Tell It Like It Is, and went on

to earn acclaim as a Grammy award-winning artist. Show features holiday favorites, some of his biggest hits and tracks from his first post-Katrina gospel album, I Know I’ve Been Changed.

352-392-ARTS

A. L. MEBANE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI PARADE Saturday, ovember 26 Noon - 1:00pm ALACHUA - Free to the public. 386-462-2539

CANE BOIL: A NEW THANKSGIVING TRADITION Saturday, Nov. 26 10:00 a.m.

GAINESVILLE Morningside Nature Center. A New Thanksgiving weekend tradition: The Longleaf Pine Youth Fiddle & Open String~Band Contest at the Cane Boil. Experience life in North Central Florida during the year 1870 at the Living History Farm.

Sample fresh cane syrup and homemade biscuits, experience live folk music, farm animals and much more! 352-334-2170

SANTA VISIT & TREE LIGHTING Friday, Dec. 2 6:30pm - 8:30pm ALACHUA - Visit with Santa and see the Christmas Tree light up.

The Tree Lighting is at Alachua City Hall and the Santa Visit follows immediately after at Alan Hitchcock Theatre Park on Main Street.

RWANDA SUSTAINABLE FAMILIES Saturday, Dec. 3 7:00pm GAINESVILLE - Prairie Creek Lodge. Rwanda Sustainable Families will hold its annual art exhibition and fundraising event.

Amazing shoes and recycled world-themed clothing worn by artists and friends may be involved (or not!). New artwork by Rwandan children, items created in the Komera Coop, and photographs of Rwanda will be on display — many of which will be available for purchase. Live music, a wonderful atmosphere and a positive cause equal fun for the entire family! 352-373-1078

Make Gator Season Simply Gorgeous fun, unique gator accessories!

Simply Gorgeous Gifts Where Every Gift Is Simply Gorgeous Located near the Hippodrome in Union Street Station.

94 | Autumn 2011

201 SE 2nd Place — Suite 112 352.376.3266 SimplyGorgeousGifts.com

ALAHUA CHRISTMAS PARADE

The Miles Davis Experience

Saturday, Dec. 10 2:00pm - 3:00pm ALACHUA - Traditional parade is free to the public and sure to be magical for all ages.

TWILIGHT CHRISTMAS PARADE Saturday, Dec. 10 6:00pm HIGH SPRINGS - The High Springs Chamber of Commerce is proud to bring you the 15th Annual Twilight Christmas Parade.

Lineup from 4:00pm - 5:30pm. This year’s theme is Pioneering Days of High Springs.

MOMMY & ME ONSTAGE Wednesday, Dec. 14 5:00pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Join the dancers onstage during their final dress rehearsal of the Nutcracker. Sitting up close and personal gives your child a special experience never to be forgotten. $100 for Mommy & 1 child. $50 for each additional child. 352371-2986 www.dancealive.org

November 18th

PHILLIPS CENTER - A collaboration with Blue Note Records. Miles Davis was a jazz legend. But what made him so great? This multimedia collaboration explores his musical development against the background of post-war America. With a beat-style poet serving as narrator, the music of the era fuses with photos and film to depict the sounds, sights and cultural contexts of mid-20th-century America. From the challenges and optimism following World War II to the Civil Rights Movement and other historical milestones, The Miles Davis Experience is not just for jazz aficionados, but for those who have an interest in exploring the rich and diverse history of the United States. 352-392-ARTS

RECURRING EVENTS

HIGH SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET

FRUIT TREE & PLANT SALE

Every Thursday 2:00pm - 6:00pm

PLAZA - The Edible Plant

JAMES PAUL PARK - Variety of vendors — fresh & organic produce, shrimp, flowers, fresh baked goods, candles, oils, crafts and more.

352-672-5308 www.

Project’s spring sale,

farmersmarket.highsprings.com

Second Wednesday each Month

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS & CHRISTMAS PARADE Saturday, Dec. 17 1:00pm - 8:00pm NEWBERRY - Bring the family to celebrate the season. Festival vendors open at 1:00pm and parade begins at 5:00pm.

Santa will be in the park from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.

7:30 pm

4:00pm - 7:00pm BO DIDDLEY COMMUNITY

at the Union Street Farmers Market. An eclectic selection of edible plants, fruit trees and seeds will be available. This a great time to plant: warm season vegetables, greens, sugarcane.

HORSESHOE TOURNAMENTS First and Third Saturdays 11:00am HIGH SPRINGS - Lions Club. Horseshoe Tournaments 1st & 3rd Saturday every month

www.VisitOurTowns.com

and BBQ Dinners for lunch. $6. Wesley Scholfeild 386-6231307. Club 386-4544521 after 4pm.

UNION STREET FARMERS’ MARKET Every Wednesday 4:00pm - 7:00pm BO DIDDLEY COMMUNITY PLAZA - 111 E. University Ave. Each week local farmers, bakers, artisans, musicians, and dancers join with our intensely loyal customers in a timeless celebration of this community’s seasonal bounty. www.

unionstreetfarmersmkt.com Autumn 2011 | 95

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HIGH SCHOOL FALL SPORTS NEWBERRY HIGH PANTHERS

SANTA FE HIGH RAIDERS

VARSITY FOOTBALL

VARSITY FOOTBALL

DATE

OPPONENT

SITE

Aug. 26

Interlachen

Home

7:30 pm

TIME

Sept. 2

Santa Fe

Home

7:30 pm

Sept. 9

Fort White

Away

7:30 pm

Sept. 16

P.K. Yonge

Away

7:30 pm

Sept. 23

Williston

Home

7:30 pm

Sept. 30

West Port

Away

7:30 pm

Oct. 7

Chiefland

Home

7:30 pm

Oct. 14

Hawthorne

Home

7:30 pm

Oct. 21

Dixie

Away

7:30 pm

Oct. 27

Baldwin

Away

7:30 pm

Nov. 3

Union County

Home

7:30 pm

DATE Aug. 26 Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 29 Oct. 7 Oct. 21 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 11

OPPONENT Columbia County Newberry Dixie City Suwannee Crystal River Buchholz Dunnellon North Marion Belleview Eastside Fort White

SITE Home Away Home Home Home Away Away Away Home Home Away

TIME 7 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

JUNIOR VARSITY FOOTBALL JUNIOR VARSITY FOOTBALL DATE

OPPONENT

SITE

TIME

Sept. 1

Union County

Away

7 pm

Sept. 8

Fort White

Home

7 pm

Sept. 15

Dixie County

Home

7 pm

Sept. 21

Santa Fe

Away

7 pm

Sept. 29

Williston

Home

7 pm

Oct. 6

Dixie County

Away

7 pm

Oct. 11

Gainesville

Home

7 pm

DATE Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20

OPPONENT Gainesville Union County Eastside Newberry Gainesville(9th gr) Suwannee Hawthorne Fort White

SITE Away Away Home Home Home Away Away Home

TIME 7 pm 7 pm 7 pm 7 pm 7 pm 7 pm 7 pm 7 pm

VOLLEYBALL (VARSITY + JV) VOLLEYBALL (VARSITY + JV) DATE

OPPONENT

SITE

JV

VARSITY

Aug. 29

Bell

Away

5 pm

6:30 pm

Aug. 30

Trenton

Away

5 pm

6:30 pm

Sept. 1

Baldwin

Away

5 pm

6:30 pm

Sept. 6

Bronson

Away

5 pm

6:30 pm

Sept. 13

Union County

Away

5 pm

6:30 pm

Sept. 15

Chiefland

Home

5 pm

6:30 pm

Sept. 16

Bell

Away

TBA (Varsity

Bell

Away

TBA (Varsity

Sept. 20

Dixie County

Home

5 pm

Sept. 22

Williston

Away

5 pm

6:30 pm

Sept. 26

Trenton

Home

5 pm

6:30 pm

Sept. 27

Baldwin

Home

5 pm

6:30 pm

Oct. 4

Union County

Home

5 pm

6:30 pm

Oct. 6

Chiefland

Away

5 pm

6:30 pm

Oct. 10

Bronson

Home

5 pm

6:30 pm

Oct. 11

Bell

Home

5 pm

6:30 pm

Oct. 13

Dixie County

Away

5 pm (JV only)

Oct. 18

Williston

Home

TBA (Varsity only)

only) Sept. 17 only)

96 | Autumn 2011

6:30 pm

DATE Sept. 1 Sept. 6 Sept. 7 only) Sept. 9-10 only) Sept. 13 Sept. 15 Sept. 16 Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Sept. 26 Sept. 27 Sept. 29 Oct. 3 Oct. 4 Oct. 8 Oct. 11 Oct. 13 Oct. 14-15 Oct. 17 Oct. 18 Oct. 24-25

OPPONENT Ocala Vanguard Interlachen Buchholz

SITE Home Away Away

JV VARSITY 5 pm 6 pm 5 pm 6 pm 6:30 pm (JV

Gator Town Classic

TBA (Varsity

Keystone Hts. Away Bradford Home Marathon Night Williston Away Fort White Home Crystal River Home Buchholz Away Interlachen Home Williston Home Bradford Away Keystone Hts. Away Keystone Hts. Home Ft. White Away Dig Pink Tournament Oak Hall Away Ocala Trinity Home District Tournament

5 pm 6 pm 5 pm 6 pm 10 pm — 7 am 5 pm 6 pm 5 pm 6 pm 5:30 pm 7 pm 5 pm 6:30 pm 5 pm 6 pm 5 pm 6 pm 5 pm 6 pm TBA (JV tourny) 5 pm 6 pm 5 pm 6 pm TBA (Varsity only) 5 pm 6:30 pm 5 pm 6 pm (Varsity only)

Available at

US 441, High Springs

Free Delivery & Set Up No Credit Check Lifetime Warranty Rent-to-own w/small downs & easy payment plans

386-454-1488

visit us online at www.JimDouglasSales.com

OIL CHANGE SPECIAL L

$

19.95

+ TAX

INCLUDES UP TO 6 QUARTS RTS R. OF OIL & NEW OIL FILTER. We check all fluid levels. a.

Synthetic oils & diesels extra.

Some exclusion may apply. Not valid with op any other offer or coupon. Plus tax and shop supplies. Must present coupon when orderr is written. Exp. 12/15/11

WE HAVE TIRES FOR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING! And we will not be undersold!

Restrictions Apply

“YOUR TRUSTED DEALER SINCE 1926” 26” 386-454-1488 • US 441 • High Springs w w w. J i m D o u g l a s S e rv i c e . c o m www.VisitOurTowns.com

Autumn 2011 | 97

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2011 UF Sports Schedules GATOR FOOTBALL DATE

OPPONENT

SITE

TIME

Sep 3

Florida Atlantic

HOME

7:00 pm

Sep 10

Alabama-Birminham HOME

7:00 pm

Sep 17

Tennessee

HOME

3:30 pm

Sep 24

Kentucky

Lexington, KY

TBA

Oct 1

Alabama

HOME

TBA

Oct 8

LSU

Baton Rouge, LA

TBA

GATOR VOLLEYBALL

Oct 15

Auburn

Auburn, AL

TBA

DATE

OPPONENT

SITE

TIME

Oct 29

Georgia

Jacksonville

3:30 pm

Aug 26

Boston College

HOME

7:30 pm

Nov 5

Vanderbilt

HOME

TBA

Aug 27

North Carolina

HOME

3:30 pm

Nov 12

South Carolina

Colombia, SC

TBA

Aug 30

Florida State

HOME

7:00 pm

Nov 19

Furman

HOME

TBA

Sep 2

Jacksonville

HOME

Noon

Nov 26

Florida State

HOME

TBA Sep 2

FAU

HOME

7:30 pm

Sep 3

Clemson

HOME

4:00 pm

Sep 5

Iowa State

HOME

2:00 pm

GATOR SOCCER DATE

OPPONENT

SITE

Aug 19

Miami

Coral Gables, FL TBA

Sep 9

Texas

Palo Alto, CA

7:30 pm

Aug 21

Florida Int.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;l

Miami, FL

7:00 pm

Sep 16

Mississippi State

Starkville, MS

8:00 pm

Aug 26

Texas A&M

Knoxville, TN

5:30 pm

Sep 23

Kentucky

HOME

7:00 pm

Aug 28

UCLA

Knoxville, TN

1:30 pm

Sep 25

Tennessee

HOME

1:30 pm

Sep 2

Texas Tech

HOME

7:00 pm

Sep 30

Auburn

Auburn, AL

8:00 pm

Sep 9

Florida State

HOME

7:00 pm

Oct 2

Georgia

Athens, GA

1:30 pm

Sep 11

FL. Gulf Coast

HOME

1:30 pm

Oct 7

Arkansas

HOME

7:00 pm

Sep 16

Missouri

Columbia, MO

7:30 pm

Oct 9

LSU

HOME

1:30 pm

Sep 18

Kansas

Lawrence, KS

2:00 pm

Oct 14

Ole Miss

Oxford, MS

8:00 pm

Sep 23

Georgia

Athens, GA

7:00 pm

Oct 16

Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL

2:00 pm

Sep 25

Tennessee

Knoxville, TN

2:00 pm

Oct 19

South Carolina

Columbia, SC

7:00 pm

Sep 30

Vanderbilt

HOME

TBA

Oct 23

Mississippi State

HOME

1:30 pm

Oct 2

Kentucky

HOME

1:00 pm

Oct 28

Tennessee

Knoxville, TN

7:00 pm

Oct 7

Auburn

HOME

7:00 pm

Oct 30

Kentucky

Lexington, KY

1:30 pm

Oct 9

Alabama

HOME

3:00 pm

Nov 4

Alabama

HOME

4:00 pm

Oct 14

Mississippi

Oxford, MS

8:00 pm

Nov 6

Ole Miss

HOME

1:30 pm

Oct 16

Mississippi State

Starkville, MS

2:00 pm

Nov 11

LSU

Baton Rouge, LA

8:00 pm

Oct 20

Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR

8:00 pm

Nov 13

Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR

1:30 pm

Oct 23

LSU

HOME

2:00 pm

Nov 18

Georgia

HOME

7:00 pm

Oct 28

South Carolina

HOME

7:00 pm

Nov 20

Auburn

HOME

1:30 pm

Nov 2-6

SEC Tournament Orange Bch, AL TBA

Nov 23

South Carolina

HOME

7:00 pm

98 | Autumn 2011

TIME

$IOH>;NCIH .LI<F?GM "IHbN F?N SIOL <CAA?MN CHP?MNG?HN =LOG<F? ;LIOH> SIO

-OL ;L?; CM Q?FF EHIQH @IL MCHEBIF? ;=NCPCNS ;H> MBC@NCHA MICF If your home is sitting on shaky ground your largest investment could be in jeopardy. There are solutions and they may not be as expensive or as vexing as you think. The ďŹ rst and most important thing to do is have a professional consultant inspect your foundation and offer possible solutions. That doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cost anything with Ram Jackâ&#x201E;˘.

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386.462.3001

Autumn 2011 | 99

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Monday August 15 - Friday, August 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pre-Planning (5 weekdays) Monday, August 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Day for Students Monday, September 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday - Labor Day Tuesday, September 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Send Interim Reports Home Tuesday, October 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . End of First Nine Weeks Friday, October 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pupil Holiday/Teacher Workday Friday, November 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday - UF Homecoming Tuesday, November 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send Report Cards Home Friday, November 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday - Veterans’ Day * Wednesday, November 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pupil Holiday/Teacher Holiday Thursday, Nov 24 - Friday, Nov 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thanksgiving Holidays Wednesday, December 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Send Interim Reports Home Monday, Dec 19 - Friday, Dec 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winter Holidays (10 weekdays) Monday, January 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pupil Holiday/Teacher Holiday Tuesday, January 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classes Resume Monday, January 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday - ML King Day Thursday, January 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . End of First Semester * Friday, January 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pupil Holiday/Teacher Workday Monday, January 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Begin Second Semester Wednesday, February 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send Report Cards Home Monday, February 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday - Presidents’ Day Tuesday, February 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Send Interim Reports Home Monday, March 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . End of Third Nine Weeks * Friday, March 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pupil Holiday/Teacher Workday Monday, April 2 – Friday, April 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spring Holidays (5 weekdays) Tuesday, April 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send Report Cards Home Wednesday, May 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Send Interim Reports Home Monday, May 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday - Memorial Day Wednesday, June 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School Out - Last Day for Students * Thursday, June 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Post-Planning for Teachers * Friday, June 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Post-Planning for Teachers Friday, June 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pre-Planning for Summer School Monday, June 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Day Summer School Tuesday, July 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Last Day Summer School * THESE DAYS MAY BE USED TO MAKE UP DAYS CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANES OR OTHER EMERGENCIES. FOR THE 2011-12 CALENDAR, THEY WILL BE USED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:

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ADVERTISEMENT

Home of the Brave The Veterans Administration’s Aid & Attendance Benefit helps veterans and spouses enjoy their golden years at The Atrium

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here are more than 11 million veterans or surviving spouses over the age of 65 living in the United States today.

After serving their country with valor and sacrifice, these heroes deserve to live their golden years with a distinct sense of comfort and freedom.

At The Atrium in Gainesville, they can find exactly that when they take advantage of the Veterans Administration’s Aid & Attendance Benefit.

“Wartime-serving veterans gave to their country,” said Prem Paul Murrhee, Director of Sales and Marketing for The Atrium.

“Now it’s time for their country to give back to them.”

The Aid & Attendance Benefit is a generous federal program that provides financial aid to veterans or surviving spouses who require services for any number of daily activities. These benefits are $1,632 per month for a veteran, $1,055 per month for a deceased veteran’s surviving spouse, or $1,945 per month for a veteran and spouse together.

These amounts could cover as much as 75% of the all-inclusive monthly rent at The Atrium.

“It’s a great program from the federal government,” said Murrhee. “This benefit is for

wartime-serving veterans and it’s very inclusive. I’ve been moving people in on this program for three years and have helped more than 100 people apply for Aid and Attendance benefits.

(The government) really wants to help people get the benefits that they deserve.”

Eligibility for the benefit is based on three criteria. You must be a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran with 90 consecutive days of active duty and one day of service during a declared war. A doctor must indicate your need for aid and attendance (because The Atrium provides meal service, transportation and 24-hour attendance, the benefit can be used for rent). There are also financial qualifications to be met, with each application considered on a case-by-case basis. Local veterans advocates can help you evaluate your financial situation to see if you qualify, and The Atrium hosts a veterans benefit talk at noon on the last Thursday of every month.

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benefit until the Aid & Attendance funds are granted.

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106

>> CONSERVATION

Suwannee River Cleaning Up a Symbol of Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s History

BY CAROLYN TILLO hey lurk within the Suwannee River, waiting for someone to come and bring them to the surface. Some are small enough to hold in the palm of a hand. Others are large enough to crush a man.

Before 2010, no one dared to face them, at least not on a grand scale. The occasional river traveler removed a few here and there, but the rest remained, silently rotting under the water or eerily sitting on the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface.

Armed with grabbers and nets, scuba gear and buckets, a group of more than 500 volunteers joined together last year to stop these silent but deadly enemies from destroying the river. From September through November, they

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106 | Autumn 2011

worked, using bags to contain their foes and scales to determine the weight of their victory.

The enemies may seem harmless enough. They include Coke bottles, refrigerators, an old safe, toilets and even an entire boat.

But, at the bottom of a river, these objects pose a threat to local wildlife and to the people who travel this waterway, said Fritzi Olson, the executive director of Current Problems, a nonprofit that organizes cleanups of waterways in North Central Florida.

Olson helped coordinate the group of volunteers who participated in the 2010 Great Suwannee River Cleanup. They removed almost 30,000 pounds of trash from the river, she said.

This year, she is recruiting new volunteers and encouraging old ones to return for the 2011 Great Suwannee River Cleanup, which kicked off at Ivey Memorial Park in Branford, Fla., on Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants can register for the kick-off or for any of the cleanups online. Cleanups will take place from September through November, and volunteers can choose when and where they want to clean up, using the map and spreadsheet on the signup site.

Last year, helpers included civic groups, cave divers and families.

Current Problems provides grabbers, nets, buckets, trash bags and scales for people to collect and weigh the trash, but Olson said she lets the groups find the cleanup

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRITZI OLSON

www.VisitOurTowns.com

Autumn 2011 | 107

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PHOTO COURTESY OF FRITZI OLSON

A volunteer braves the mud and lends a hand during last year’s Adventure Outpost cleanup, which stretched from Gibson Park to Suwannee River State Park.

method that works best for them.

“I leave it to those groups to clean up as they see fit because they’re the people that live over there and know that river, and, I think, as a result, know best how to go about it,” Olson said.

Olson guesses that between 30 and 40 individual cleanups will take place this year, and she hopes to recruit local people to help so they can become more aware of the danger trash poses to the wildlife near their homes. Once they see the trash and debris clogging the Suwannee, Olson believes volunteers will change their habits and avoid littering in the future.

“One of the goals of the cleanups

108 | Autumn 2011

is to impress upon the participants the impact of human activity on our water resources,” Olson said.

Pam Darty, a refuge ranger for the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, participated in last year’s cleanup and plans to return this year. A former teacher, she understands the educational value of the cleanups and has been learning about the importance of conserving natural resources since she took hunting trips with her father as a child. He told her about the plants and animals they observed, gifting her with a love for the outdoors that has stuck with her into her adult life.

Last year, she helped clean

portions of the Suwannee River that flow within the bounds of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge.

Even though the refuge only has jurisdiction over the land, Darty said it is important for her and the fellow employees of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge to help clean the river because they want to protect the animals on land who drink the water, in addition to fulfilling their role as good neighbors.

Their group of 87 volunteers picked up 5,400 pounds of trash, Olson said. The debris included a sunken boat, pieces of plastic, shoes, tires and bottles.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF FRITZI OLSON

Volunteers at the Camp Azalea Ramp in the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge help unload trash from a boat.

“People dump things in fresh water that I just can’t believe,” Darty said.

Debbie Meeks, who works as a dynamic orchestrator for Amigos Dive Center in Fort White, participated in six cleanups last year.

Meeks has been cave diving for about 10 years, and she has watched as the springs have changed and degraded over time.

She said she believes that if more people loved the springs and the rivers, more people would want to protect them. People are more likely to visit a clean river, Meeks said.

“When folks want a day on the water, they have a choice,” Meeks said in an e-mail. “If they get the feeling that people care about the Suwannee they will come back and they will be more likely to help with a cleanup and vote to protect it.”

Meeks, who helped organize

110 | Autumn 2011

the cleanups and collected trash, remembers someone finding a starter pistol during one of the cleanups. After doing the cleanups, she joked that she has become addicted to keeping the river clean.

“Once you’ve done one cleanup, you can’t stop cleaning trash,” Meeks said. “It’s kind of a curse.”

Megan Wetherington, a senior professional engineer for the Suwannee River Water Management District, helped clean the upper Suwannee last year. Although this was a relatively low-populated stretch of river, she said it was amazing how much garbage there was and how old some of it was.

Wetherington picked up a Budweiser can that looked new, but, upon closer inspection, she saw it was a pull-tab can that must have been in the river since the 1970s and had survived with barely a scratch.

Now, when she kayaks, Wetherington brings along a trash bag to gather any floating debris.

“It’s actually kind of fun and has improved my boat-handling skills,” Wetherington said. “I’m working on the high velocity swoop-n-scoop technique for floating stuff.”

For Thomas “Captain Honk” Bintz, picking up the trash in the river is not just a way to help protect the environment. It is a way for him to gather materials for his artwork made out of recycled pieces of foam and other marine debris that he finds floating or washed up near his home in Rock Bluff Springs.

Bintz, a Florida State University graduate who studied painting and earned his nickname during his time as a demolition derby driver, began making fish sculptures from the recycled debris in 1990.

He found foam, bottles and cans, and even a safe at last year’s Great Suwannee River Cleanup, and he plans to participate again this year.

He uses the foam to make the bodies of the fish, while pieces of metal can be used for fins and bottle caps serve as scales.

“Whatever I find, I try to put back in the artwork,” Bintz said.

He participates in the cleanups to help keep the river pristine and natural, and he hopes more people get involved when he participates again this year. While Bintz hopes that this year’s cleanup attracts participants and publicity, he also cannot help but like the fact that the Suwannee is a quiet river, not a tourist trap.

“It’s pretty much a Florida secret,” Bintz said. “There’s a lot of people who don’t know where the Suwannee is, and I actually kind of like it that way.” s

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COLUMN >> BY KENDRA SILER-MARSIGLIO

Healthy Edge 10 Ways to Get Kids to Listen ver been in the grocery store to hear a parent repeating a child’s name only to see that the child doesn’t intend to respond or change behavior? I’ve been in that situation myself (calling my four-year-old son over and over). So, I did a little research to find 10 ways we can get our kids to listen.

As parents, how we treat our children (and others) is how our children learn how to interact socially. It’s kinda the “Golden Rule,” right? Communication is no different. How we talk to our kids is how they will

E

exchange ideas, feelings, and words with others.

Here are 10 talking tips (probably reminders or validations for many of you) from the University of Maine and Dr. Sears: 1.

Kind Eye Connection. Before giving your child directions, get down to your child’s eye level for some eye-to-eye contact. Say something like, “Holly, I need your eyes.” Or, “Henry, I need your ears.”

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Use the One Sentence Rule. Your main directive should be the opening sentence. The longer you ramble, the more likely your child will tune out.

Too much talking gives your child the feeling that you’re not quite sure what you want to say. I’m guilty of this one for sure!

3. Stay Simple. Use short sentences with uncomplicated words. Listen to how kids communicate with each other and take note.

4. Get the Request Repeated Back to You. If your child can’t repeat your directive, it’s unlikely that he or she will follow what you said. You may want to consider if the request is too complicated.

5. Make Your Kid an Offer that Can’t Be Refused.

When you can, give your child a reason that is to the child’s advantage for your request. For instance, you could say, “Get dressed so you can go outside and play.” This is a good way to avoid power struggles in instances that they are unnecessary.

6. Use “Do’s” More than “Don’ts.” When you say, “Don’t run” to a child, his or her brain has a hard time immediately conceiving your directive, which is “Walk instead.” So, instead of “Don’t run,” try, “Walk inside, please.”

7. Start with “I Want.” Instead of “Let your brother have a turn,” say, “I want you to let your brother have a turn now.” Dr. Sears suggests that this works well with children who want to please but don’t like being ordered.

8. Use “When” — Not “if” — When You Expect Obedience. For instance, you could say, “When you brush your teeth, then we’ll begin the story.” “If” means that what you expect from your kid may or may not happen.

9. Legs, Then Mouth. If you holler into the other room for your child to turn off the TV because it’s time for dinner, your child may not respond in a timely manner. When you mean business, go to your child. Walk into the room, join in with your child’s interests for a few minutes, and then, during a commercial break, have your child turn off the TV. 10. Let Your Child Fill in Some Blanks. Instead saying of “Don’t leave your shoes in the hallway,” try, “Aiden, where are you going to put your shoes?” This is a good way to create lasting lessons and processes.

Bonus tip: University of Maine says pretending that you are listening, when you really aren’t, is a bad idea. If you’re pre-occupied — talking on the phone, watching TV, or entertaining guests — give your child a specific time when you can listen. Then, make sure you follow through.

Hopefully, these tips will help me call my son’s name a few less times in the grocery store and help us build a bond that will last a lifetime. How can these tips help you? s Kendra Siler-Marsiglio, Ph.D. is the Director of the Rural Health Partnership at WellFlorida Council.

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Old-Fashioned Customer Service Really Keeps Your Motor Running Since 1983, Jack’s Small Engine Repair has been selling and servicing small engine equipment the “old fashioned” way – with customer service their number one focus. New owner’s Debbie Marshall and Mark Singleton are proud to continue Jack’s tradition and have recently completed their third year.

Specializing in lawn and garden equipment sales, service and repairs, Jack’s is the largest authorized HUSQVARNA dealer in the area.

One of the most trusted names in outdoor equipment, Jack’s delivers more than a great product line. Each item sold is assembled on site and comes with personal instructions.

Unlike the big box stores, Jack’s will take the time to show you how to best use and maintain your new equipment, advise you on the

equipment to buy and help in any way throughout the buying process.

Come by and talk with Sales and Parts Manager, Larry Jackson. With more than 40 years experience, Larry will take the time to make sure you’re buying the right machine for the job.

Known for their service and repair departments, Jack’s can help with almost any small-engine need.

Whether it’s blowers, edger’s, tillers, four wheelers, golf carts, generators, pressure washers, lawn mowers, chain saws, trimmers or most others, their authorized mechanics, Thomas, and Mark, will diagnose and repair most small-engine problems. For an additional charge, Jack’s can make arrangements to pick up your item, diagnose, repair and return your item with as little inconvenience to your schedule as possible.

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Bring in your blades and chains for while you wait sharpening as an added convenience. With access to thousands of parts for almost every piece of lawn and garden equipment, Jack’s is your trusted name in small engine repair.

Open 6-days per week, including Saturdays until 1pm, Jack’s Small Engine Repair is there to help. Give them a call at 386-462-2882 and see why many trust Jack’s for all their lawn and garden needs. Shop local for the lowest price and great deals.

Check out Jack’s online at: www. jackssmallenginerepaironline.com - It features Husqvarna Products, Parts for most makes and models of Lawn/ Garden Equipment and also used equipment for sale. You can order in the comfort of your own home and have your parts delivered to your door.

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>> CREATIVE TRAVEL

Road Trippin’ How to Travel with Children and Not Lose Your Sanity

STORY + PHOTOS BY DIANE E. SHEPARD raveling can be stressful and challenging, but especially so with kids.

However, a little planning, forethought, and organization will go a long way to helping everyone enjoy the trip. And while traveling by car has its own set of challenges, it can also be fun. Think of a road trip as a time to reconnect as a family, without all the usual distractions of home, commitments, and dayto-day living.

T

Packing for the Kids Fill a backpack or small bag only with things that will keep them busy and happy, such as favorite toys, books and dolls, and pack it in the car within their reach. Pack

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a small stash of never-before-seen toys for the dramatic “reveal” at the first sign of a major meltdown.

Other Must-Haves (aka Rescue Pack/Survival Kit) • Ziploc Bags: in different sizes for a multitude of uses to hold everything from Band-Aids to barrettes to small toys. Bag items like body wash, shampoo, and kids bubble bath in a large bag to contain potential messes.

• Medicine • Nightlight: To chase away the “afraid of the dark” fears. Not to mention, to help everyone see in an unfamiliar place.

• Child’s favorite dolls or stuffed animals: To help ease a child’s “strange room/bed” fears.

• Special Travel Laundry Detergent: To take care of those nasty stains, even when used in a hotel sink.

• White Noise: Such as a small fan.

Often forgotten until needed, but some children (and some adults) need to have it to fall asleep.

• Pillows for the car.

• Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, and a Box of Tissues.

• A stash of plastic grocery sacks for trash, soiled diapers, etc.

• Baby/Disinfectant Wipes: Clean and de-germ a variety of things from hands to toys, from toilets to highchairs. Restaurant highchairs are often more bacteria-laden than toilets.

• Do not forget the children’s favorite bedtime stories!

In an effort to save her sanity, Cheryl Hendrickson — a single mom of two in Green Cove Springs — never takes a road trip without a set of earphones/headphones for each of her elementary-age daughters.

“I’d wear them myself, but wait, that’s not allowed; I’m driving!”

Hendrickson said.

After all, no parent (and not to mention, the poor defenseless driver) should be stuck in the car with two children competing to see who can play their music the loudest.

And do not forget the batteries and chargers for their games, she said.

Middleburg mom, Brandy Stasiak, strongly recommends keeping hand

sanitizer and using frequently.

“It’s a lifesaver, especially when there’s no sink in sight,” Stasiak said.

Both Hendrickson and Stasiak also recommend packing the children’s favorite snacks and drinks, to save time, money and frustration.

Consider bringing along some disposable, plastic bowls for the children to eat their snacks in and contain the mess.

sunglasses, gum, stickers, and toy cars, just to name a few. Hang the finished caddy from the back of the seat in front of your child.

Car Caddy

Know When to Leave

Before the trip, help your children make their own special car caddy.

It is a great way to recycle a child’s favorite pair of jeans! These pockets make the perfect catchalls for small, fun, must-have items in the car, such as pencils, crayons, notepads,

Take advantage of your child’s naptime and leave a few hours before. They will likely entertain themselves for those few hours and then drift off to a happy nap.

Make a point not to stop when any child in the car is sleeping.

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Know the Way Plan your trip ahead of time. Use a map (or GPS) and minimize the chances of getting lost, and making cranky children even crankier.

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Car Caddy Creation ion SUPPLIES NEEDED: 16” x 27” piece of denim or twill materiall or the bottom half of one leg of men’s jeans; extra scraps ps as pockets.

1 child-size pair of old jeans; pockets from m old jeans and shirts; 18” long 3/4” dowel, approximately 50” of cord for hanging loop; decorative buttons.

INSTRUCTIONS: •

Cut leg of adults jeans or denim material to approximately 16” x 27.””

•

Hem around sides and bottom.

•

Turn down 1 1/2 inches at top and sew to make a channel to put hanging dowel through.

•

Turn up 8” on bottom for a pocket and pin into place along sides.

•

Do not sew the sides just yet.

•

Make other pockets by cutting squares out of denim, twill, or other heavier fabric.

•

Hem tops of pockets.

•

Use pockets from outgrown child-size jeans.

•

Pin each pocket into place as desired.

•

Unpin the (main) bottom pocket.

•

Sew all the pockets into place.

•

Turn bottom pockets back up and sew into place along both sides. (Sew on decorative buttons where desired.)

•

Place dowel into the channel at the top. The dowel should stick out about an inch on each side.

•

Fit the caddy into place on the back of the seat in front of the child.

•

Measure around the headrest to see how much cord will be needed.

•

Tie ends of cord around each end of dowel.

•

Hang into place and the caddy is ready to fill with travel goodies for the road!

Keeping Them Busy (and Happy) There are other ways to keep children entertained in the car without having to rely solely on movies and electronics.

Think maximum amount of use in the smallest size possible. Do not bring toys that are large, only have one use, or anything with more than a few parts. No small parts. If a particular doll will occupy a child for hours at home, it can also do so in the car.

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Bring a few CDs of children’s songs (nursery rhymes, classics, modern), and sing-along.

Exercise One’s Rights Every stop, everyone gets out to exercise. When possible, choose tree-filled rest stops with ample places to roam and explore.

Bring along a few items specifically for rest stops such as plastic bats, paddleball racquets and balls, Frisbee, or bubbles.

Telling Stories Bring favorites stories and books, and read to the kids, or have them read aloud. Use different voices for different characters for greater appeal.

Filling Time by Filling Albums Give children a stack of photos and an album and have them help by filling the album. Give them only a small group of photos at a time.

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Recycled Greeting Cards A great way to recycle old greeting cards! And a great way to entertain kids.

Just punch holes around the edges of the cards, give the children a few big plastic sewing needles and some different colors of yarn, and they will start lacing.

In the process, they will have a blast looking at the photos.

number magnets for added fun for young ones.

Get Them Creating

Revive the Classic Car Games

Homemade “sewing cards” for the budding seamstress: Recycle old gift cards by punching holes all the way around the card. Gather small groups of yarn in a variety of colors, or even shoelaces, and get a big plastic needle. They will enjoy lacing these cards in various ways.

Never underestimate the power of a simple box of crayons, colored pencils and paper, to entertain and enthrall a child for hours.

A metal cookie sheet with sides makes a perfect tray for drawing and coloring, rolling cars, or playing games. Include alphabet or

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Older children will enjoy “I Spy”, “20 Questions” or the “License Plate Game.” Before the trip, make up a sheet with all the states listed on it so children can keep track of how many cars they see from each state.

Or try something different like the newly contrived “Name the Next Line.” Read two lines of simple rhyming poetry, and see who can guess (or create) the next rhyming line.

For children who can read, try Bingo cards with objects commonly seen along the roadside.

Younger children can join in by looking for specific things out their window and counting them, like cows, red cars, blue trucks or white houses.

Don’t Forget Downtime Traveling takes its toll on young ones, so try to include some downtime in a hectic travel schedule for the children (and adults) to just relax. Give them the opportunity to sleep late at least once on a weeklong trip.

Road tripping as a family can be a special time to make treasured memories together, by taking the time to really talk to each other, play games, read to each other, and spend quality time together. s

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Colleen’s Kloset Re-Sale Boutique Women’s • Juniors Baby • Children’s Home Goods School Uniforms We carry a complete line of baby items and furniture, as well as designer clothing, shoes, purses and more!

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COLUMN >> DONNA BONNELL

Embracing Life Four Seasons Five Senses Fine Foods

hen I randomly read Marie Huston’s simple statement,”The gardening season officially begins on January 1st and ends on December 31st,” I stopped to ponder its meaning.

Regular readers of “Embracing Life” know that important complex messages are found buried in the most basic thoughts. It is our job to find them.

Huston hinted that God gave us four seasons and a perpetually changing garden. When I thought about another human attribute — our five senses (intended to help us relish those earthly presents) — I had one of those moments of enlightenment. What may appear to be three completely different bequests are actually integral pieces of our physical and emotional puzzle.

Senses unlock memories safely stored in our brain cells, sometimes when we least expect it. Hearing a special song from the oldies station; getting a quick whiff of a forgotten fragrance; finding a faded photograph; tasting a favorite family recipe; shaking the hand of someone whose grip feels familiar are examples of events creating inexplicable almost eerie déjà vu moments. It is during those brief breaks from reality that I remember my past. When reminiscing about the good ole days, breaking bread with family and friends is nearly always a significant part of the story.

Without a doubt, preparing and feasting on a variety of foods immensely intensifies all five senses. Master Chefs say, “We eat with our eyes first.” Studies have shown, as

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holistic beings, visually appealing meals are not only more appetizing, but also our bodies better absorb their nutrients. I wonder if covering my eyes while I eat would be a good weight loss program. Maybe, but it would definitely reduce my pleasure from enjoying a meal.

The crunching noise created when chewing a carrot or the sound of popping corn stimulates my taste buds.

When my tongue touches the texture and temperature of the ingredients, another sensation develops. Since I appreciate most multi-cultural menus, usually my response is pleasurable, but not always. For example, I cannot swallow oatmeal — its texture makes me gag, even though intellectually I know its nutritional value.

Overcoming our body’s negative response to particular consistencies is difficult.

While all five senses are equally important, it is a common belief that food scents are the most powerful stimuli to our emotions. Smells conjure up memories with a vivid force no other sense can match. Perhaps that is the reason I experience strong emotions during the holiday season.

My mind races to a different time and place when I attempt to recreate traditional dishes for my family.

Smelling the Thanksgiving turkey as it bakes all day resurrects memories of my mother (even though she passed away over two decades ago). Minced meat and pumpkin pie aromas remind me of my favorite aunt, who introduced me to Pennsylvania Dutch cooking

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when I was young. Even though she is deceased, her recipes live on.

The scent of warm apple cider spiced with cinnamon simmering on the stove mentally sends me to Western New York, where my sister and her family live. Several years ago, I saw the beauty of their fall festivals, breathtaking colorful leaves and unforgettable cider mills.

Autumn of 2011 is here. Once again, it is time to pack up summer supplies. Scalloping season is over and soon it will be too cold to swim, scuba or tube in our springs and rivers. Farmers have finished harvesting Newberry’s famous watermelons and other locally grown summer fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, our planet’s everchanging garden of flora, fauna and foods will continue to fulfill our human needs as we move into the next season. We should embrace those treasures with all of our senses — sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.

Let’s keep warm in the winter by snuggling up with

Let’s keep warm in the winter by snuggling up with someone special, sitting around a campfire and sharing a fine wine or mugs of hot chocolate. someone special, sitting around a campfire and sharing a carafe of fine wine or mugs of hot chocolate topped with melted marshmallows. In the spring, Mother Earth will supply us with scallions, spinach and strawberries — ingredients for refreshing salads. Summer and fall will follow. The seasonal cycles continue, with only the human characters changing.

Our bountiful beautiful gifts from nature are endless. An ageless quote, from 1630, by William Browne, in Variety Magazine sums it up perfectly, “There is no season such delight can bring, as summer, autumn, winter and the spring.”

Enjoy them all! s

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Zane’s Yard Tips

It is that time of year; when kids like me get to help in the yard with pruning. I love making big piles of sticks. My dad says that all major pruning of shrubs after August will affect their flowering.

Now is still a good time to add beautiful shrubs to your landscape.

My mommy showed me how to “deadhead,” which means you have to take the dead blooms off the plants! She says that it will extend the blooming season for many annuals and it will help the plants’ growth and look for your perennials. Now is still a good time to plant warm-season plants.

My dad told me that you should fertilize your lawn in midSeptember, and also apply fertilizer to your plants, trees and shrubs. And this is very important: don’t let kids like me do this.

You too can have a beautiful lawn this fall.

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>> FAMILY FUN

Gone to the Bats Lubee Bat Conservancy holds its Annual Bat Festival

BY AMANDA WILLIAMSON ith terrifying silhouettes, the creatures hang upside down from the mesh ceiling of their cage. Their leathery wings spread open, reaching lengths of five feet. Dark eyes watch the caretakers as they enter the area. Slowly, one or two of the animals stretch out, using thumb claws to pull their way across the space and close the distance between bat and human.

Myth would have people believing that the huge Old World bat was after blood. But in reality, the gentle creature is after a sip of mango juice. Such is the life of the Malayan Flying Foxes held within the Lubee Bat Conservancy.

Want a chance to meet these friendly, flying giants?

Lubee Bat Conservancy holds its 7th Annual Bat Festival on October 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last year, the festival entertained around 2,300 visitors. In its first year,

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there were only around 60.

Brian Pope, the director of Lubee, said the festival offers the opportunity to see giant fruit bats up close and to learn about the importance of bats in the local environment and global arena.

Inside the Bat Zone, visitors meander through a walkway in the middle of the bat habitat. On each side, various species of live bats are displayed. From the Rodrigues fruit bat to the spectacled flying fox, each species has a unique look, and every bat has its own personality. Grace, a Rodrigues fruit bat, is never shy when it comes to getting her helping of fruit juice.

In fact, Pope called her a little bit greedy. She already hangs inside a pen where all the residents get a special low-cal diet.

For the festival, each bat cage will be decorated for the season with carved pumpkins, plus a variety of other plants and fruit. The various plants, such as palm fronds that are added to the cages during the festival

PHOTO BY AMANDA WILLIAMSON

Nina, a little golden-mantled ďŹ&#x201A;ying fox, is unusual because she still stays beside her mother, Nada. Normally, after the maternity period is over, bats separate from their pups.

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www.VisitOurTowns.com

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should help guests visualize the bats in their natural setting. Fruit bats, unlike American hibernating bats, do not live in a cave.

Not the average bat-next-door, the residents of Lubee have convinced visitors that bats may be the next best thing.

“People have preconceived notions about bats,” Pope said. “The first bats that they see as they enter the Bat Zone are the largest [bat] species in the world. But when the people actually get close to them and see their cute dog-like faces, it totally changes perceptions.”

The Lubee Bat Festival, Pope said, is a great opportunity to educate people about bats. And Lubee wastes no time. During the festival, educational booths are set up around the conservancy. Booths labeled Asia, Africa and the Americas educate guests about the species, the folklore and the reality inside each different continent.

While each booth offers information, they are also kid-friendly. At the Africa table, children can color masks that represent the species that thrive in the African environment. In Asia, children can color their own Wu-Fu pendant, a design of five bats encircling the symbol for prosperity. Each bat symbolizes one of the five “happinesses,” which are health, wealth, long life,

good luck and tranquility.

But do not let all that information scare away the younger audience. So close to Halloween, the festival also features a costume contest and a raffle prize, where visitors have a chance to win Disney Park Hopper Passes.

Wonder why Disney is involved? Disney’s Animal Kingdom houses several of Lubee’s bats for Disney adventurers to see when they visit.

In addition to crafts, activities and prizes, the

Myth would have people believing that the huge Old World bat was after blood. But in reality, the gentle creature is after a sip of mango juice. festival offers vendors — most of which are environmentally friendly — a chance to showcase their work.

Vendors such as Sweetwater Branch Inn, Florida Bat Conservancy, Wild Birds Unlimited, Florida Native Plant Society and Gainesville Creative Kids will have booths at the festival for people to explore. Chick-Fil-A and Mamma Mia Pizza are just two of the restaurants providing food at the event.

And of course, do not forget all the bat-themed merchandise that will be available for purchase. Last

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PHOTO COURTESY OF LUBEE BAT CONSERVANCY

During the festival, the Lubee booths will be arranged by continent. At the African table, children have a chance to color masks that reflect images of African bats that are important for the dispersal of seeds.

year, a local construction company sold bat houses.

Even though the festival will have Halloween-themed activities and decorations, Pope said he really wants to stay focused on the bats. This year, in the Americas, is The Year of the Bat, a campaign to educate about the

world’s only flying mammal. Pope wants guests to know how bats help out in the ecosystems of the world.

The bats housed at Lubee are amazing seed dispersers. Most of the world’s forests rely on the Old World bats to flourish. In the South Pacific Islands, the bats in

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130 | Autumn 2011

the area are the only pollinators big enough to move the mango seed.

There are four species of Fujita Island bats that disperse the seed of the coconut palm, described as one of the top ten most important trees in the world on the website Bats, Plants and People. While the bats are not the only pollinators of the tree, it is believed that the Dawn Bat plays a vital role in its biology by spreading the seeds great distances.

Fruit bats are responsible for pollinating fruits that are much closer to home, such as bananas, figs, papayas and passionfruit.

Bats also eat large quantities of insects. Around Austin, Texas, the bats that live in Bracken Cave eat insects that destroy local crops.

In Gainesville, Pope said the bats living inside the Lake Alice Bat Houses are the biggest insect-eaters in the area.

In fact, a recent U.S. Geological Study predicted that nightly meals consumed by American bats save farmers between $3.7 to $53 billion a year on pesticides and crop losses.

But now bats are dying off in unprecedented numbers. More than a million bats have died from White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), a disease that scientist believe is caused by a fungus.

It only affects hibernating bats, therefore the bats at Lubee are safe from the disease, Pope said. But more than half of the 45 species of bats living in America rely on hibernation, states the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

First discovered in New York in 2007, the disease has spread to 16 states and four Canadian Provinces, said Ann Froschauer of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is concerned that WNS is killing off the biggest predator of night-flying insects, Froshauer said. Many crop and forests pests reside in this category.

“There are no other night predators that will likely step up and take advantage of the loss of bats to WNS,” she said. “Although there are some other night-flying insect eaters, like night jars and whip-poor-wills, they will not make up for the loss of bat colonies.”

Unfortunately, humans can easily spread the fungus by entering a contaminated cave and carrying the spores to other regions. The fungus, said Froshauer, can live for unknown periods of time before the disease manifests itself. So, cavers could potentially be in a cave that appears healthy, but actually contains the fungus.

Then, the spores cling to the clothes, gear and footwear of the visitor and can easily be carried into another cave or hibernacula (a place where bats hibernate).

People can minimize their potential threat to bats by honoring cave closures and by decontaminating clothes, shoes and gear, she said. Finally, do not reuse gear in a healthy state that has been inside an affected cave.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LUBEE BAT CONSERVANCY

ABOVE: At the Lubee Bat Festival, children have an opportunity to dive into a prize pool in search of batrelated items, such as a ring with a bat on it, a bat bracelet and much more.

PHOTO BY AMANDA WILLIAMSON

LEFT: Director Brian Pope feeds Grace, a Rodrigues Fruit Bat, mango juice. Grace is part of a species that is critically endangered. In the 1970s, there were less than 100 Rodrigues Fruit Bats in the wild, according to a factsheet on the website of Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo.

This year, the Lubee Bat Festival will have speakers address the guests about the dangers of White-Nose Syndrome and how it affects American hibernating bats.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, WNS has become the worst wildlife health crisis in memory.

The Bat Festival is the only day that the Conservancy is open to the public, but Lubee does conduct school

tours during the year. Last year, the staff at Lubee talked to about 30 schools, Pope said.

But the festival is Lubee’s largest event of the year, and definitely gives the staff a chance to explain to Flordians the importance of bats globally and locally — as well as giving bats the chance to dispel any rumors flying about. s

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Copeland taught at Alachua Elementary for 16 years before leaving to continue her education to become principal and administrator certified. For the past four and a half years she has been an assistant principal at High Springs Community School.

“After being here 16 years, this is like coming home to me,” Copeland said about her new job. “And just being part of the community, I thought this was the best place to be.”

Copeland received her undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University before moving to Florida to begin teaching. She returned to the University of Florida for her graduate studies, and earned a Master’s Degree in educational leadership.

She taught Special Education, ESE, third grade, fourth grade and worked as a reading coach for two years before she decided she wanted to pursue her dream of becoming a school administrator.

“I enjoyed very much preparing to be a teacher, and within the first few years of teaching I knew that I wanted to experience a lot of different areas in the education field because I knew that one day I would want to become a principal,” she said.

Being able to work in a school where she knows the teachers and is familiar with the community, she said, is like icing on the cake.

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>> CELEBRATE

Non-American Thanksgiving Canada and Germany Have a Fall Feast, too

BY MATTHEW BEATON urkey, turkey, turkey, throw in some in-laws and pigskin and you have an American Thanksgiving.

But the US is not the only nation with a fall feast.

Our neighbors to the north celebrate a month early. This year, Oct. 10 is Thanksgiving Day in Canada.

Their holiday has several similarities to the American one.

“It definitely focuses around a family meal; there is a turkey meal at dinner,” said Nathalie Cooke, an English professor at Montreal’s McGill University.

Canadians also view the holiday as not being commercialized.

Though many Americans would argue turkey day has no commercial platform, the Canadians see it tied to Christmas, as that weekend kicks off the holiday shopping season.

“Because it’s celebrated in

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136 | Autumn 2011

October now and not in November, it’s not as close to the Christmas season,” Cooke said.

The holiday has bounced around the Canadian calendar. According to the country’s heritage website (pch.gc.ca), run by their government, the first state-sanctioned holiday occurred on April 15, 1872.

It marked a celebration in honor of Britain’s future King Edward VII overcoming illness.

During the next 85 years, it bounced back and forth between October and November, primarily being celebrated on Mondays or Thursdays, and occasionally not at all. Finally, in 1957, a proclamation was released that placed the holiday permanently on the second Monday in October, which means it shares a spot on the calendar with the US’ Columbus Day. Its history relies on the tale

that Martin Frobisher was seeking the Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean. Though he returned home a failure in 1578, he threw a Thanksgiving feast — more than four decades before the pilgrims — to celebrate his safe return to Newfoundland.

That original feast has evolved into a popular annual tradition.

“Thanksgiving is a very big deal in Canada; everyone gets together just like here,” said Stephanie Hart-Hughes, a physical therapist in Tampa, who spent her first 26 years in Canada.

She has fond memories of going to her grandparents’ house or them coming to hers.

“And we just kind of had the afternoon and the evening, just spending time together as a family, eating a huge dinner and falling asleep after the turkey,”

Hart-Hughes said.

In her mind, the primary difference between the US and Canadian versions is where they fall on the calendar.

The Canadians, however, try to differentiate themselves and their holiday from America’s.

“You have to understand that Canadians never want to be seen as Americans,” Hart-Hughes said.

“The biggest insult sometimes you would give another Canadian is, ‘Yeah, you’re just another state,’” Hart-Hughes said. “If [they] go around Europe, Canadians will carry their flags everywhere; it is because they do not want to be mistaken for Americans.”

Sunday each year, so no one gets an extra day off from work, and thus it cannot be celebrated to the extent of the US version. Rennert said it is on par with Easter’s popularity in America.

“Easter is much bigger in Europe because you also get the Monday off,” he said.

He called it a religious holiday; Germans are “giving thanks [for] the fruits and the harvest,” Rennert said, adding that it provides “an extra incentive to go to church.”

Most notably, the churches take shocks of wheat, along with other harvest items, and place them around the altar.

Also, similar to the US, res-

So with Thanksgiving, “they would talk about it being their history and not the Americans,” Hart-Hughes said. “Canadians want to keep their own identity, particularly a separate one from that of the United States.”

Germany also celebrates a fall harvest holiday. It is called Erntedankfest, held on the first Sunday following Michaelmas (Sept.

29), the holiday celebrating Michael the Archangel.

For his first 19 years, Hal H. Rennert lived in Germany. Today, a UF professor emeritus of German studies, he still returns to his homeland every summer. He said their holiday is not as big a deal as the US Thanksgiving.

He explained that it falls on a

taurants and other organizations donate a lot of food to the needy, Rennert said.

“Sometimes the churches will also have a dinner for the homeless,” he said.

It is not, however, an official state holiday, so some areas celebrate it on different days. In Mosel, a German wine region, they celebrate Erntedankfest on the second Sunday in November. Rennert said the shift is a result of the grapes being harvested later.

The holiday is more popular in the rural areas than the cities.

“People in the rural areas live closer to the land,” Rennert said. “It’s more celebrated in the rural areas.”

The word itself — “Erntedankfest” — can be translated as harvest

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(ernte) thank (dank) festival (fest), Rennert said.

Otto W. Johnston, another UF professor emeritus of German studies, did not grow up with the holiday. He was raised in New York City, but he has frequently visited Deutschland and lived there for more than seven years.

He disagreed with Rennert, saying the holiday was “celebrated only in the Lutheran Protestant areas; Catholics do not celebrate it ... it is celebrated in different states to different degrees.”

In some areas, big communal meals are eaten.

“Either in a churchyard or somewhere near the church or certainly wherever the harvest is being kept, they’ll put out these long tables and everybody’s welcome,” Johnston said. “I have seen one festival, for example, where musicians got on a flatbed truck and went through the community collecting donations; that was unusual,” he said.

His fondest memory of the holiday was the time he had the opportunity to celebrate in a small rural town.

“I was actually driving [in Northern Germany] with a friend through one of the towns, and they invited us to come and stay,” he said.

The town’s only claim to fame, he said, was a railroad station.

“We were just invited to park the car and: ‘come and join us it’s Erntedankfest,’” he said. “Then, when they found out we were Americans [and] spoke German, they were really impressed.

“All of a sudden everything is free; they were giving us beer and wine, just everything.”

He recalled they had a giant ox strung up on a pole in a tent, and “they would just cut the meat right off of it.” And he said the taste was “out of this world.”

But that is just the type of people the Germans are. “[They] love to celebrate,” he said. “You know you start drinking that German beer and you become friends with everybody.” s

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>> CREATIVITY

Singing for the Santa Fe A Singing and Songwriting Contest

BY AMANDA WILLIAMSON ay down upon the Santa Fe River, far, far away. Sound familiar?

Probably not. In fact, other than ad-libbing the Santa Fe River into the popular “Old Folks at Home,” an 1851 song composed by Stephen Foster about the Suwannee River, not enough attention has been given to the treasured local river.

And Our Santa Fe River member Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson could not understand why.

In 2010, the Our Santa Fe River organization held its first Singing and Songwriting Contest at the Great Outdoors Restaurant in High Springs and dedicated it entirely to the Santa Fe River. After a huge success, the organization plans to recreate the event this year on October 2 at 3pm. The Great

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140 | Autumn 2011

Outdoors will once again provide the location.

Malwitz-Jipson knew that the local artists needed to start singing praises and glory about the river.

“We thought if we got musicians and writers, poets and artists to do more with their creative vision that it would also inspire people to want to protect the river,” she said. “Just like the song about the Suwannee River, it keeps it in people’s minds.”

Last year, seven artists competed for the first place spot. Each was armed with an original creation about the Santa Fe River. MalwitzJipson said a broad range of musical genres were represented.

And this year, she hopes to gain an even wider range. She invited local artists, such as The Duppies.

Though the musical talent for this year will not be finalized until September 23 when applications

are due, Malwitz-Jipson said she can see people singing about the Santa Fe River in all different kinds of music.

“It’s kind of a community event,” Malwitz-Jipson said, “because music touches all different kinds of people.”

Eldon and the Philman Family Band won first place last year.

He sang “Wishin’ I Was Back in Gilchrist,” a country/bluegrass song that speaks of success in the music industry that leads to homesickness for the river.

Eldon agreed with MalwitzJipson about the power of music.

“Art is the universal language,” he said. “You don’t even have to

understand the words to enjoy the song. It has strong power and ability to sooth even savage beasts.”

Avery Dehart, a teenager, sang a bluesy number called, “The River,” and won second place.

Returning judge Lars Andersen remembers the moment when Dehart stood up on stage and “sang her big heart out.”

“I think there were a lot of lumps in a lot of throats by the end of that song,” he said.

Malwitz-Jipson said Our Santa Fe River wants to promote local music through the contest. Sun Hill Studios will handle the sound this year. Malwitz-Jipson said one of the performers last year gained a

recording contract because of her performance, but unfortunately, it fell through — not because of fault on either side of the contract.

Our Santa Fe River had never put on a singing event, so for the rules, the organization contacted The Florida Folk Festival. The festival gave them their list of rules, and Our Santa Fe tweaked them to fit its needs.

Obviously, the song lyrics have to be about the Santa Fe River. It must be an original creation by the entrant, and cannot be more than 4.5 minutes in length. Each participant must submit one song

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TOP: Last year, Eldon and the Philman Family Band won first place at the Singing and Songwriting Contest, while teen Avery Dehart, (above) earned second place.

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Bernie Roy, onstage with drummer Tony Sellman at the Great Outdoors Restaurant, won third place for her song “Goin’ Up the Santa Fe.”

(does not have to be prerecorded), and a $10 check or money order made payable to Our Santa Fe River.

Entries will not be returned, but the rights remain with the writer.

Without the pre-recorded song, the judges hear the music for the first time — just like everyone else.

First place takes home $100, second place wins a guided tour on the Santa Fe River with an Our Santa Fe River Board Member, and third place will receive a $50 gift certificate to The Great Outdoors Restaurant. In addition, all participants will be recorded during their performance.

But only the top three winners will have their performance edited by Digitel Video and placed on the Our Santa Fe River YouTube site. Each artist has 24 hours to send an email to Our Santa Fe River to decline the Youtube offer.

There is no admission charge to the event for guests. Last year, around 150 people sat in the audience, listening to the songs about the Santa Fe River. Guests cannot make reservations to the restaurant on that night.

“We don’t want to make it about money,” Malwitz-Jipson said. “It’s not about money making. It’s about sharing our love of the river with everyone else.”

Andersen feels that the river is a unifying feature of the local community.

“Regardless of religion or politics, everyone in a riverside community shares a love for their river,” he said. “Just as cousins are related because they have an uncle in common, river people are related because they have the river in common. And, just as cousins might rarely (if ever) see each other, many members of a river community might have never met. But, when that uncle gets sick, they all congregate at his bedside and all differences fall away.”

Because the event starts at 3pm, Malwitz-Jipson suggests people spend the day on the river and then join for a singer and songwriter medley. And the Great Outdoors Restaurant, she said, made (and is making) the event a very friendly experience for the guests.

Karen Bentz, owner of the Great Outdoors Restaurant, is excited about the contest and the chance to share the beauty of the Santa Fe River with others from the local area.

“The river is a very special part of everyone’s life here in High Springs,” she said. “I feel that this songwriter contest helps promote the importance of the river and the need to preserve and maintain the springs for future generations. It is an area unlike any other in the world.”

And Malwitz-Jipson said the event, for her, accomplished what she wanted. Last year, when the

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musicians started performing, nobody talked, the restaurant noise disappeared, and all were in awe of the musical talent. She also still remembers a lyric from the event by 13-year-old Dehart.

“Santa Fe River, Can’t Shake a Shiver,” Malwitz-Jipson quoted. “It was brilliant, and the audience just started clapping after she said that.”

The event was inspired by the work that Malwitz-Jipson has volunteering to protect the Santa Fe River. She soon realized that there were many artists honoring the waters of Florida, such as Annie Pais, Elayne Dubin and John Moran, but there were no musicians. She said prior to this event, she had only heard of two songs that mentioned the Santa Fe River.

Our Santa Fe River started in 2007 to save the river from bottling plants that were attempting to move into the area. After protecting the waters from being drained for consumption, Our Santa Fe River continues to fight for and educate about the river.

This year, the organization gained non-profit status.

Now, OSFR is fighting against pollution. The Lyngbya alga is growing strong in the river because of high nitrates. The Santa Fe River is battling a low river flow, which could be caused by low levels of rain and human use. With a higher flow, pollution is diluted.

Another program is a tie-dying event held at local schools, libraries and other community spaces, where guests can dye a towel to represent the waters of a spring. In the middle, various colors of blue swim like a cool spring. But on the outer edges of the towel, dark brown and yellow colors representing nitrates move in closer to the blues.

“Once you start lending arts to anything, it starts to stick in your mind,” Malwitz-Jipson said. “If it means having a contest to have an artist write a song to market a river and keep it protected, then I’m all for that. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the musicians and for people to listen to it.” s

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COLUMN >> CRYSTAL HENRY

Naked Salsa Ghosts of Halloweens Past alloween is one of my absolute favorite holidays, second only maybe to Thanksgiving. Who doesn’t love eating five different starches in the name of tradition? This year I was put in charge of my MOMS Club Halloween Open House, which I was completely pumped about.

I couldn’t wait to rock this event, since last year’s shindig was less than spectacular in my opinion.

Picture a giant empty room in the basement of a church with no decorations and only a folding table with rinky-dink face painting going on. There was also an area where kids could use glue sticks to paste black construction paper on paper plates and call them pumpkins, but it was mainly filled with bored or crying children. Scary, but not in the good Halloweeny way.

This is supposed to entice people to join our club, and I was ready to spice this thing up like a hot cider.

However, as I had visions of sugar pops and spider webs dancing in my head, I got an email from the President. No, big B.O. didn’t give me a shout — it was from our MOMS Club president laying out some “suggestions” for the party. And by suggestions I mean the law since she’s the prez.

I was told to make sure we didn’t do anything too scary for the little children who might be terrified of

H

things like witches and ghosts. She named her five year old as one of the scaredy cats, but I’m honestly more terrified of that child than of Chucky. I was also instructed not to have candy or little toys as treats or prizes, since none of the mothers need any of that at the house. And I also need to stick to things like pumpkins and hay bales as decorations. Anything too Halloween-related might offend some of our more religious party guests.

So let me get this straight: we are to have a Halloween party with no candy, no witches or ghosts, or anything that could be deemed scary or religiously offensive. We are to have pumpkins and hay bales, and judging from last year’s festivities, we are also allowed to transform various paper products into one of those two items. This just isn’t the Halloween I remember as a kid.

Now, I was raised by a devout Christian mother. She dragged my sleepy butt out of bed on Sunday mornings to attend Sunday school and then even made my growling stomach sit through Big Church. But come October, she was not only sewing elaborate costumes for my brother and me, but she donned disguises herself. We went trick or treating and were allowed to eat all the candy we wanted in one night. Since I had

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some sort of brain sickness, I always traded my brother my candy for his butler services. And Mom would let me trade candy for fruits and veggies, since I preferred those. But my brother gorged himself on Twizzlers, Snickers and even those gross orange and black peanut butter ones that most kids just pelt each other with outside.

Our house was decked with ghosts and witches and candlesticks with cobwebs that lit up when you walked by. And each year we’d carve our jack-o-lanterns and roast the seeds while we watched scary movies in the dark. It was good times, and there was nothing sacrilegious about it.

Now I wasn’t planning to have Freddy Krueger chase the children into a pit of snakes, but could a few green witches with little black cats really offend anyone? And

Our house was decked with ghosts and witches and candlesticks with cobwebs that lit up when you walked by. And each year we’d carve our jack-o-lanterns and roast the seeds while we watched scary movies in the dark. would it really be a crime if the kids could win a Tootsie Roll at one of the game stations I’d envisioned. We could even make it a pumpkin beanbag toss to appease the pumpkin gods that ruled over last year’s events.

I just don’t see the harm in a little Halloween fun. I mean after all, it started as a religious holiday. It was the day when the dead could return to the earth, and that’s the religious folks’ idea. I wasn’t planning to have zombies running around, I just wanted some cauldrons with hot cider and a few toy bats and spiders. I just don’t see why my childhood Halloween traditions have become so not P.C. Kids need to suck it up a little if they’re afraid of a few paper ghosts and a cartoony looking Frankenstein. My two-year-old pulls scarier things out of her diaper.

I think maybe I’ll plan my event the way I want to do it. I’ll set it up myself and no one will be the wiser until the frightening fiasco is unveiled complete with sugary treats and maybe even a germ-infested drowning hazard like bobbing for apples. And if they hate it, then I’m banned from planning any future events and possibly stripped of my mother-of-the-year trophy. But maybe, just maybe, the smell of popcorn balls and candy corn will ignite a childhood spark they forgot about. And they’ll see some ghosts from their Halloween pasts that aren’t so scary after all. s

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Donate Your Car and HELP children like these.

At the Outreach Center for Children... ...we are reaching out to you, the donor as a voice for underprivileged children. The Outreach Center supports many services that help these children to es develop into healthy adults. Some of these services include providing hot meal programs, funding educational scholarships, replenishing school bookk inventories, and sending kids to summer camp.

Call Toll Free Today.

1-800-597-9411 WEST END ANIMAL HOSPITAL 15318 WEST NEWBERRY ROAD • NEWBERRY, FL 32669 www.WESTENDANIMAL.com OFFICE 352.472.7626 SERVING ALACHUA COUNTY FOR 20 YEARS

Deborah Cottrell, DVM — Fred Schirmer, DVM COMPANION ANIMAL & EXOTICS • LARGE PHARMACY COMPLETE IN-HOUSE LABORATORY • DIGITAL RADIOLOGY VIDEO OTOSCOPY • SURGERY SUITE • DROP-OFF SERVICE BOARDING • DOCTOR ON CALL 24-HOURS

OPE RATION PIT- N I P FREE SPAY OR NEUTER FOR PITBULLS AND PIT MIXES All dogs must be Alachua County residents and have valid Alachua County Rabies tag.

If your pet is not current, a vaccine and tag can be acquired the day of surgery for $25.00

148 | Autumn 2011

Drive Home

TODAY!

Always great vehicles Always great prices!

• No Credit Check!

• All Cars $0 down

• Cash Cars Starting $ at only 1,000 • Will Finance Anyone

Sun City Auto Sales

(352) 338-1999 www.VisitOurTowns.com

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A COMBINED ST YLING EXPERIENCE OF 50 YEARS ! !

Up dos!

after!!

before…

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LET US HELP YOU LOOK YOUR BEST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

$

2.00 OFF ANY SERVICE

COUPON OR AD REQUIRED. PLEASE PRESENT COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. OFFER VALID FOR NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. OFFER EXPIRES 12/15/11.

Call or come by today!

386 454-1080 IN THE WINN-DIXIE PLAZA • HIGH SPRINGS

PRICING AVAILABLE PER JOB OR BY THE HOUR

PONDS Land Clearing • Site Prep • Tree & Stump Removal Demolition • Road Grading and MUCH MORE!

FREE

ESTIMATES PAYMENT PLANS

AVAILABLE

352.494.6066 150 | Autumn 2011

OWNER - CLINT S. DAVIS LICENSED + INSURED

CONVENIENT • AFFORDABLE • EXCEPTIONAL INSTRUCTION All Instruments • Voice • Dance • Art • Theatre

10% OFF

Up to 6 people admission, camping.

OTHS mag. Exp 12-15-11

PARK

Register fo NEW Fall Classes!

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COUPON NOT VALID ON MAJOR HOLIDAYS

• Covered pavilions • Concession stand • Large tiled bath house • Canoe & tube rentals • Nature trail • Volleyball courts • Horseshoe pits

• Playground • Picnic tables & grills • Campsites w/ electric and water • Primitive wooded campsites • Dump station

Located in beautiful High Springs

• Drummin’ in the Sun • Youth Choir New Student Special • Kindermusik 4 MUSIC LESSONS • Rock Band & REGISTRATION • Chamber Music Only $ Performances

99

Alachua Fine Arts, llc.

386-454-1369

14900 NW 140 TH STREET • ALACHUA

386-518-6688 (office) 386-518-6288 (fax)

www.bluespringspark.com

BE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT INSURANCE

BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!

Do you have the proper coverage?

Did you get all the available discounts?

Auto • Home • Business • Commercial Life • Workers Compensation

We represent over 100 competitive companies, call today to talk with a qualified licensed agent.

INSURANCE

(352).371.9696

1111 NW 23rd Ave. Two blocks East of13th St.

W W W. SUN SHINE S TAT EIN SUR A NC E .C OM

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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- & s 3AT

A short 15-minute drive from Gainesville

Visit our new location in Newberryy!

152 | Autumn 2011

FA M I LY O W N E D • P R O F E S S I O N A L S E R V I C E

Creekside OUTDOOR IMPROVEMENTS EXPERT SERVICE FOR ALL YOUR OUTDOOR NEEDS: • Tree & Canopy Removal • Backhoe, Skid Steer and Dozer Services

• Custom Driveways and Drainage • Hardscaping/Landscaping

• Outdoor Construction

• Brick Paver Sales + Install

• Lot Clearing, Mulching

• Concrete Prep/Pour/Finish

• Building Site Prep & Dirt

• Custom Barn Construction

• Property Maintenance

• Wood, Metal, Vinyl Fencing

352-494-7838

M I K E BEN N E T T (ow ne r): w w w.Cre e k s id e O u tdoo r.co m www.VisitOurTowns.com

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WORSHIP CENTERS If we have left out a church or have incomplete / incorrect information, please let us know! Send your corrections by faxing 352-373-9178 or emailing editor@towerpublications.com. We welcome your contributions and suggestions.

HIGH SPRINGS ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH 386-454-3574 10 S.E. MLK Drive Rev. Ocelia Wallace, Pastor ANDERSON MEMORIAL CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST 386-454-3433 935 SE Lincoln Ave. BETHLEHEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 386-454-1996 County Road 778 Pastor Clarence Desue CHRIST ANGLICAN FELLOWSHIP 386-454-1845 323 SW CR 778 Pastor Michael LaCagnina CHRISTIAN FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER 386-454-2367 220 NE 1ST Ave. Dr. Lloyd S. Williams CHURCH OF CHRIST 386-454-2930 520 NE Santa Fe Blvd.

CHURCH OF GOD

BY FAITH 386-454-1015 US Hwy 27 THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS 386-454-4282 24455 NW 174th Ave. Pres. Keith Brown HIGH SPRINGS CHURCH OF GOD 386-454-1757 210 NW 182 Ave. Pastor Terry W. Hull

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FELLOWSHIP CHURCH 386-454-1700 16916 NW U.S. Hwy. 441 Pastor Jeff Powell FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 386-454-1505 20112 North US Hwy. 441 Pastor J. Eddie Grandy FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 386-454-1037 205 North Main Street Pastor Glen A. Busby FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of HIGH SPRINGS 386-454-1255 17405 NW US Hwy 441 Pastor Benton Mangueira GRACE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 210 Santa Fe Blvd.

Pastor Preston Ponce HOLY TEMPLE CHURCH WITH GOD 386-454-0313 615 SE ML King Drive IMPACT FAMILY CHURCH 386-454-1563 16710 NW US 441 Pastors Edwin & Angela Anderson JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES 386-454-3509 330 SE 7th Ave. MIRACLE TEMPLE CHURCH 386-454-4298 605 SE 1st Place THE MISSION CHURCH OF HIGH SPRINGS Meeting at the Seventh Day Adventist Building 230 NW 1st Ave. 352-870-0247 Pastor Keith Helsel

MT CARMEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 386-454-4568 1230 NW 1st Ave. Pastor Byran Williams

ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 386-454-9812 1st Ave. (next to city hall) Rev. David Kidd

MT. PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH 14105 NW 298th Street 386-454-2161 Pastor Danny Crosby

SPRING HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Located at High Springs exit 79 off I-75 North of Gainesville (on Old Bellamy Rd.) Pastor James Richardson

MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH 386-454-3447 948 SE Railroad Ave. THE NORTH EAST CHURCH OF CHRIST 4330 NE County Road 340 nechurchofchrist.net SAINT MADELEINE CATHOLIC CHURCH 386-454-2358 17155 NW Highway 441 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 352-497-2221 230 NW 1st Ave. Pastor Anthony Crawford SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH 386-454-4978 Shiloh Church Rd. Pastor Earl Tuten SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 386-454-3126 1505 NW Main St. SPRING RIDGE FIRST CHURCH OF GOD 386-454-3600 5529 NE 52nd Place Pastor Todd L Wymer SPRINGRIDGE FIRST CHURCH OF GOD 386-454-4400 420 Spring Ave.

ALACHUA ALACHUA CHURCH OF CHRIST 386-462-3326 14505 NW 145th Avenue Minister Doug Frazier ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH 386-497-3121 Jordan Road (Ft. White) BAHA’I FAITH 352-870-3097 Turkey Creek CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH 13920 NW Hwy 4141 386-462-2966 Pastor Marty D. Basinger calvarybaptistgainesville.org CHRIST CENTRAL ALACHUA 386-418-8185 14906 Main St. www.ccalachua.com CHURCH OF GOD BY FAITH 386-462-2549 13220 NW 150th Ave. CRUSADERS FOR CHRIST, INC. 386-462-4811 NW 158th Ave.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ALACHUA 386-462-1337 14005 NW 146th Avenue Pastor Doug Felton FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF ALACHUA 386-462-2443 14805 NW 140th St. Pastor Lamar Albritton FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ALACHUA 386-462-1549 14623 NW 140th St. Rev. Virginia McDaniel FOREST GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH 386-462-3921 22575 NW 94 Avenue GREATER NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 386-462-4617 15205 NW 278th Ave. HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE 386-462-2017 17306 NW 112th Blvd.

LEGACY BAPTIST CHURCH 352-462-2150 13719 NW 146th St. Pastor John Jernigan LIVING COVENANT CHURCH 386-462-7375 Pastor Brian J. Coleman NEW OAK GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH 386-462-3390 County Road 1491 Pastor Terry Elixson, Jr. NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD AND CHRIST 386-462-4891 1310 NW 155 Place Pastor R. L. Cooper NORTH PLEASANT GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH 386-462-3317 25330 NW CR 239 Pastor Edwin A. Gardner NEW SAINT MARY

BAPTIST CHURCH 386-462-7129 13800 NW 158th Ave. PARADISE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF ALACHUA 386-462-0162 14889 MLK Blvd.

Pastor Rev. James D. Johnson, Sr. SANTA FE BAPTIST CHURCH 386-462-7541 7505 NW CR 236 Pastor Richard Cason, II MT NEBO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 386-418-1038 9975 NW 143rd St. Pastor Ricardo George Jr. NEW SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH 386-462-2095 18610 NW CR 237 NEW ST MARY BAPTIST CHURCH 386-462-7129 13800 NW 158th Ave. OLD SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST 386-462-4894 16810 NW CR 239 RIVER OF LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD 352-870-7288 14200 NW 148th Place Pastor Greg Evans ST LUKE AME CHURCH 386-462-2732 US Highway 441 S. ST MATHEWS BAPTIST CHURCH 386-462-2205 15712 NW 140 Street Pastor Isaac Miles TEMPLE OF THE UNIVERSE 386-462-7279 15808 NW 90 Street www.tou.org WESTSIDE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST 386-418-0649 15535 NW 141st St.

NEWBERRY

NEW ST PAUL

ABIDING SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH 352-331-4409 9700 West Newberry Rd.

352-472-3836

BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 352-474-6215 23530 NW 3rd Ave. Pastor Theodora Black

NEWBERRY

CHRISTIAN LIFE FELLOWSHIP 352-472-5433 Pastor Terry Fulton

BAPTIST CHURCH 215 NW 8TH Ave. Pastor Edward Welch

CHURCH OF CHRIST 352-472-4961 24045 W. Newberry Rd. Minister Batsell Spivy NEWBERRY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 352-472-4005 24845 W. Newberry Rd.

CHURCH OF GOD BY FAITH 352-472-2739 610 NW 2nd St. Pastor: Jesse Hampton

Rev. Robert B. Roseberry, Pastor DESTINY COMMUNITY CHURCH

THE CHURCH AT STEEPLECHASE 352-472-6232 Meeting at Sun Country Sports Center 333 SW 140th Terrace (Jonesville) Pastor Buddy Hurlston FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF NEWBERRY 352-472-2351 25520 W. Newberry Rd. Rev. Jack Andrews GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH 352-472-9200 22405 W. Newberry Rd. Pastor Ty Keys JONESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH 352-472-3835 17722 SW 15th Ave. Pastor Corey Cheramie

352-472-3284 420 SW 250th Street Pastor Rocky McKinley OAK DALE BAPTIST CHURCH 352-472-2992 Highway 26 and 241 S. PLEASANT PLAIN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 352-472-1863 1910 NW 166th St. Pastor Theo Jackson ST JOSEPH’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 352-472-2951 16921 W. Newberry Rd. Pastor John DiLeo

JOURNEY CHURCH 352-281-0701 22405 W. Newberry Rd. Milam Funeral Home Chapel Dr. Michael O’Carroll, Pastor

TURNING POINT OF

MT ZURA FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH 352-472-4056 225 NW 2nd Ave. Pastor Natron Curtis

BAPTIST CHURCH

www.VisitOurTowns.com

NEWBERRY, INC 5577 NW 290 Street 352-472-7770 Pastor Henry M. Rodgers UNION 352-472-3845 6259 SE 75TH Ave Pastor Travis Moody

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High Springs LICENSED RETAILER FOR REDKEN AND BED HEAD PRODUCTS

FREE 6-point PC check-up

with this ad

1. Check for device conflicts 2. Assess hard drive stability 3. Memory system check 4. System error check 5. Wireless security check 6. Virus/malware check

LOCATED IN FIRST AVENUE CENTRE TWO DOORS DOWN FROM THE FLYING FISH

Kris Todd

JODIE’S Beauty & Barber Shop

232 NE 1st Ave. • High Springs

40 N. Main Street, High Springs, FL

(386) 454-2152 (352) 219-8811

386.454.2311

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!

RMERS MARKET FAof High Springs

“where rationality is optional.”

Plantation Oaks • 201 NE 1st Ave • High Springs

Great Food - Cool Stuff - Fun Times

THURSDAYS

Dine In - Carry Out - Box Lunches Catering - Private Parties - Art - Gifts Cool Stuff - Antiques - Collectibles Art Classes - Creative Space

from 2pm-6pm Contact Maria Antela:

386-454-8145 www.HighSpringsFarmersMarket.com

Jewelry designs

by Donna

25 NE 1st Ave., High Springs, FL

10% OFF CHEMICAL SERVICE WHEN YOU MENTION THIS AD

IN-HOUSE REPAIR SERVICE

454-8200

Select from finished jewelry or we will design something.

We make old gold new!

www.madhatters-cafe.com

386-454-5700

ALL CREATIONS SALON

230 NE 1ST AVENUE HIGH SPRINGS, FL 32643

386

Hours: T-F 8-5 Sat 8-12

http://AllCreationsSalon.net 240 NE 1ST AVE., HIGH SPRINGS, FL

• Permanent Make-up • Hair • Acrylic Nails • Pedicures • Manicure • Tanning • Spray Tanning • Waxing • Tattooing • Wigs • Specializing in Wedding & Prom Up-dos and Airbrush Makeup

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • 386-454-4550

Business Spotlight COME SEE US FOR ALL YOUR

COMPUTER NEEDS $

45 PC Performance Tune-up

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS AVAILABLE PURCHASE • UPGRADE • REPAIR • SOFTWARE • HARDWARE

386-454-8403 OFFICE/SCHOOL SUPPLIES PACK & SHIP • FEDEX & UPS COPY • FAX • SCAN PRINT SERVICES • NOTARY ACROSS FROM GREAT OUTDOORS, HIGH SPRINGS • MAIN STREET

First Avenue Center in High Springs, FL

Now Available Taste of the Wild Great Life . Canidae California Natural Orijen & Evo . Innova Health Extension

386-454-4464 3

A Q U A R I U M S • WA N T E D - U S E D A Q U A R I U M S • WA N T E D - U S E D A Q U A R I U M S

Open Monday thru Saturday 9am - 5pm

FLYING FISH Aquatics A Aqu q & Pets

FFRESH RESH & SALTWATER FISH, CORALS & IINVERTS, NVE R SMALL ANIMALS, R EPTILE BIRD SUPPLIES, REPTILES, OPEN: K OI & POND P KOI SUPPLIES MON-FRI 10:30-6:00 SAT 9:30-5:00

386-454-7225 • WA N T E D - U S E D AQ UA R I U M S • WA N T E D - U S E D

Dog & Cat Grooming

The T he

• WANTED - USED AQUARIUMS • WANTED - USED AQUARIUMS • WANTED - USED AQUARIUMS

• WANTED W NTED - USED WA USE AQUARIUMS • WANTED - USED AQUARIUMS

Only the best for your best friend

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LIBRARY SCHEDULE Alachua Branch Library .....................14913 NW 140th St. .............................. 386-462-2592 High Springs Branch Library ...........135 NW 1st Ave........................................ 386-454-2512 Newberry Branch Library .................110 South Seaboard Dr. ..........................352-472-1135 For further information on scheduled events visit www.acld.lib.fl.us All branches will be closed Veteran’s Day (11/11) and Thanksgiving (11/24)

ALACHUA PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN Preschool Storytime Thursdays - 11 AM Join us for stories, song and dance.

Pre-Teen Book Club and Advisory Group First Wednesdays - 3 PM (Starting in Oct.) Group meets to discuss upcoming library events and to discuss books.

PROGRAMS FOR TEENS Gaming @ Your Library Wednesdays - 1 PM Spend the afternoon with friends gaming in the SPOT. Board and video games will be available.

Teen Book Club and Advisory Group First Thusdays - 4 PM (Starting in Oct.) Group meets to discuss upcoming teen events and to discuss books.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS Zumba Classes Mondays - 6 PM Mix of body-sculpting movement with dance steps derived from Latin music.

Hatha Yoga Tuesdays - 5:30 PM One hour of Hatha Yoga taught with

158 | Autumn 2011

an emphasis on mindfulness, individuality, and proper alignment all in a non-competitive atmosphere.

Computer Class Wednesdays - 11 AM Learn basic computer skills from using a mouse and keyboard to email and word processing. Class seating is limited.

Pilates Classes Wednesdays - 6 PM Pilates focuses on building strength without bulk. Improve flexibility and agility, and prevent injuries.

HIGH SPRINGS PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES Crafter’s Circle Wednesdays - 1 PM If you embroider, quilt, knit or enjoy doing any other “non-messy” craft, this is the group for you. Share what you know, or learn from someone else.

The Rug Bunch 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month - 3 PM Crochet a rag rug with a group of fellow enthusiasts.

Beginners welcome.

WIC 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.

Women, infants and children welcome.

Services will be offered in the library meeting room.

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN Preschool Storytime Tuesdays - 11 AM Stories, songs and activities for the preschool set.

PROGRAMS FOR TEENS Afternoon at the Movies Thursdays - 3:30 PM Watch favorite movies and new releases on the big screen.

Teen Reads Last Wed. each month - 3 PM Discuss popular YA titles. Bring a favorite to share.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS Mystery Reading Group Third Thursdays 6:30 PM Join fellow readers for discussions of mystery novels. Bring any mysteries you’ve read this month to discuss. Newcomers welcome.

Lady Gamers First Fridays - 2 PM Join other senior women for a fun afternoon of gaming.

NEWBERRY PROGRAMS FOR TEENS Panther Den Wednesdays - 3:30 PM Go wild after school.

Adventures and gaming awaits. Play sports and dance with Wii games, karaoke and crafts.

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN Preschool Storytime Wednesdays - 11 AM Stories, songs and activities for the preschool set.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS Computers for Beginners First Monday each month - 10:30 AM Learn how to use a computer in a relaxed setting at your own pace.

Memory Day Saturday, 10/8 - 10 AM Listen to stories about Miss Myrtle Dudley and her family told by their friends.

Tempting Reads Book Club 4th Wednesday of each month - 6 PM Book club discussions featuring popular and recently published books including books recommended by participants.

S GAL A R S

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B EL

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E T U RR S N D E LA

EC COU

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345 80 130

$

L

Affordable DenturesGainesville, P. C. Springhill Commons Shopping Center

NW 39th Avenue

Lab

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( D714 0 )

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Offers good only at Affordable Dentures-Gainesville, P. A. $50 discount good on one Full Upper, Full Lower, Partial, or Full Set Custom or Premium Denture purchase. Gas Dollars and Denture Dollars coupons can only be combined on purchase of Custom or Premium Dentures. Coupon(s) cannot be combined with any discount that is not part of this offer.

Offer expires 12/30/11 and may change without notice. Coupon(s) must be used at time of initial payment. Only one Denture Dollar and Gas Dollar coupon per patient.

*Same Day Service on Economy Dentures, in most cases, if in by 7:45 a.m. Additional fees may be incurred depending on individual cases.

We gladly accept Cash, Checks with ID,Visa, MasterCard, and Discover as payment for our services. These are minimum fees and charges may increase depending on the treatment required. The Patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination or treatment.

BIG ORANGE: Junk mail, Magazines, Office paper, Catalogs, Newspapers, Telephone books, Brown paper bags, All cardboard (3’ x 3’ flattened) NO PIZZA BOXES

BIG BLUE, GREEN OR BLACK BIN:* Plastic/Glass bottles and jars, Metal cans, Yogurt cups, Margarine tubs, Aerosol cans, NO PLASTIC BAGS

*If you have a green/black bin, put paper recyclables in a paper bag and place it next to your bin.

Recycle Righ

t Ti T

Put Pasteb p: oar and Junk M d ail in Your Orange Bin !

Pitch Pitc In to Put Alachua County on Top In our community, we do a lot of things really well. Our schools, hospitals and, of course, sports teams are among the best in the state. But in one critical area, we’ve come up short. Alachua County is ranked 21st in Florida when it comes to recycling. Strive to make Alachua County #1.

www.StriveFor75.org (352) 338-3233

Our Challenge: Recycle 75% of All Solid Waste by 2020!

©2011 Alachua County Waste Management Division

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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Hurricane Season is here! Now is the time to prepare your horse and your property. Springhill Equine will be having an educational Open House on Saturday October 8th from 10am until 12pm. Come learn everything you need to know to be prepared for any and all emergencies! And to help your horses find their way home after a disaster, Springhill Equine is offering a $5 discount off micro chipping until the end of hurricane season. Contact us today for an appointment.

22837 NW 22nd Avenue P.O Box 747 Newberry, FL 32669 Newberry, FL 32669 Phone: (352) 331-8434 Website: www.SpringhillEquine.com E-Mail: vets@SpringhillEquine.com

The Choice For

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CHOOSE FROM: JUNIPER, HOLLIES, SCHILLINGS & MORE

DELIVERY AVAILABLE! BLOOMINGHOUSE NURSERY 15220 W NEWBERRY RD. NEWBERRY, FL. 32669

160 | Autumn 2011

SEASONAL PLANTS & FLOWERS COME IN TODAY:

FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPE NEEDS!

352.472.3111

COLUMBIA COUNTY FAIR

OCT. 28 TO

NOV. 5

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$$ VALUABLE COUPON $$

$

5 OFF COUPON

SATURDAY’S, OCTOBER 29 AND NOVEMBER 5 GOOD BOTH SATURDAY MATINEES NOON TO 6PM ONLY. ARMBAND $10 WITH $5 OFF COUPON. Redeem at Carnival Midway Office — One Per Person NO EXCEPTIONS. OTHS

$$ VALUABLE COUPON $$

$

2 OFF COUPON

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 — SCHOOL DAY STUDENTS UNDER 18 FREE ADMISSION — 5PM TO CLOSE — ARMBAND $13 WITH $2 OFF SCHOOL COUPON Redeem at Carnival Midway Office — One Per Person NO EXCEPTIONS. OTHS

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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ADVERTISER INDEX 4400 NW 36th Avenue • Gainesville, FL 32606 352-372-5468 352-373-9178 fax REAL ESTATE Atrium ......................................................................104 Coldwell Banker MM Parrish .................168 (HS) Forrester Realty .................................................... 131 Innovative Home Builders .............167, 168 (NB) Lamplighter ........................................................... 145 PRO Realty ............................................................ 124 Savannah Station ..................................................43 Springhill Village..................................................130 The Village ................................................................. 4

AUTOMOTIVE Cash for Cars ........................................................ 134 City Boy’s ............................................................... 146 Jim Douglas Sales & Service .............................97 L&S Auto Trim ........................................................86 Newberry Auto Repair Inc ............................... 102 RPM Automotive ................................................. 103 Sumter Swap Meet .............................................. 90 Sun City Auto ....................................................... 149 Tuffy Tire & Auto Service ..............................2, 115

FINANCIAL / INSURANCE Allstate - Hugh L. Cain ........................................ 37 Campus USA Credit Union ................................26 State Farm, Tish Olesky ......................................63 Sunshine State Insurance .................................. 151 SunState Federal Credit Union ....................9, 111 Three Rivers Insurance ....................................... 112

MEDICAL / HEALTH Affordable Dentures .......................................... 159 Alachua Dental ...................................................... 101 Alachua Family Medical Center ...................... 112 Altschuler Periodontic .........................................91 Caretenders ............................................................ 80 Community Cancer Center .............................. 129 Douglas M Adel DDS.......................................... 145 Haven Hospice .......................................................66 Home By Choice .................................................. 128 McCauley & Associates Medical Group ..........11 North Florida Orthotics ....................................109 North Florida Women Care ...............................34 Palms Medical Group ...........................................79

Reliant Family Practice .......................................56 Samant Dental Group ..........................................45 Dr. Storoe, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery........ 10 Tioga Dental Associates ............................ 6 (NB) Dr. Vishnu Reddy ..................................................... 7 West Family Chiropractic...................................69

FITNESS and BEAUTY All Creations Salon ............................................. 156 Cuts & More ...........................................................150 Dawn & Co. Hair, Nails, and Tanning ..............89 Jodies Beauty & Barber Shop ........................ 156 Juice Plus .................................................................66 Nails N Spa ............................................................ 125 Sarah Vierra Salon ................................................29 Tips 2 Toes ............................................................. 103 Underground Fitness Revolution .................... 37

PETS and VETS A Paradise for Pets ............................................. 103 Bed ‘n Biscuit Inn ................................................. 113 Dancin’ Dogs Day Care & Boarding ...............54 Flying Fish Pets and Aquatics .........................157 Hilltop Animal Hospital .......................................66 House Call Vet ....................................................... 112 Pampered Paws ....................................................157 Pamper Your Pet ...................................................65 Spring Hill Equine Vet Clinic ...........................160 Vacation Station Pet Resort............................144 West End Animal Hospital ............................... 148

CHILD CARE / LEARNING Alachua Learning Center ....................................17 Alachua Fine Arts ................................................ 151 American Academy ............................................ 138 Gainesville Country Day School ..................... 60 Sprout Learning Resources ...............................77 Sun Country Sports Center .......................5 (HS)

RETAIL / RECREATION Alachua Children’s Theatre .............................. 90 Alachua Farm & Lumber .................................. 142 Alachua Pawn & Jewelry .................................. 152 Beacher’s Lodge....................................................92

Bennett’s True Value .......................................... 166 Blue Springs ........................................................... 151 City of Gainesville ................................................ 90 Coin & Jewelry Gallery ........................................73 Colleen’s Kloset.................................................... 122 Columbia County Fair......................................... 161 Cootie Coo Creations ......................................... 121 Dirty Bar .................................................................109 Garden Gallery .......................................................67 Gary’s Tackle Box ..................................................86 General Ship It & More Store ...........................157 Girl Scouts............................................................... 121 High Springs Pawn & Jewelry...................6 (HS) High Springs Farmer’s Market ........................ 156 Hippodrome .......................................................... 139 Jewelry Designs by Donna .............................. 156 Klaus Fine Jewelry .................................................12 Lentz House of Time ............................................55 Lifestyle Cruise & Travel .....................................92 Liquor and Wine Shop, The.................. 167 (NB) Meadowbrook Golf Club ....................................53 New Smyrna Beach ..............................................47 Old Irishman’s Pawn Shop ............................... 142 Oliver & Dahlman ................................................ 132 Outreach Center for Children ......................... 148 Paddywhack............................................................32 Pawn Pro ................................................................ 123 Pink Porch Bookstore ..........................................66 Radio Shack .......................................................... 147 Rum Island Retreat ............................................. 132 Sapp’s Pawn, Gun & Archery ............................52 Simply Gorgeous Gifts ....................................... 94 Stitch In Time Embroidery ...................... 102, 124 Tan USA ....................................................................92 TB Goods........................................................ 99, 164 Tioga Town Center.................................................13 Valerie’s Loft ....................................................67, 121

Mr. Electric ...............................................................66 Outreach Center for Children ......................... 148 Pro Lawn Grounds Maintenance ................... 125 Quality Cleaners ..................................................109 Ram Jack ..................................................................99 Steeplechase Storage......................................... 64 United Rent All .......................................................77

HOME IMPROVEMENT Al Mincey Site Prep ..............................................55 All Seasons Outdoor ........................................... 119 Clint S. Davis LLC ................................................150 Cook Portable Buildings .....................................97 Floor Store ......................................................79, 164 Gonzales Site Prep .............................................. 113 Heckard’s Door Specialties............................... 46 Kurt Johnsen Energy Systems ....................... 125 Overhead Door Company ................................ 133 Red Barn Home Center .............................. 69, 132 Sherer Studio Glass & Stone ........................... 135 Thurston Garden Design ....................................67 Whitfield Window and Door ..............................21

RESTAURANT Brown’s Country Buffet ......................................82 BubbaQue’s .............................................................55 Conestogas ..............................................................66 Gator Q BBQ, Wings and Things ............ 65, 82 Gator Domino’s .................................................. 5, 19 El Toro Mexican Food & Salsa .......................... 37 Flying Biscuit Café ................................................83 Kazbor’s Grille ................................................... 3, 82

SERVICE ACT Computer Solutions ................................. 156 Affordable Residential Design & Drafting....69 Alachua Pest Services ....................................... 134 Alachua Printing ....................................................55 AllState Mechanical, Inc.................................... 103 Big Blue Recycling .............................................. 159 Blooming House Nursery .................................160 COX ........................................................................ 8, 51 Creekside Outdoor .....................................132, 153 DirecTV ................................................................... 146 D.W. Ashton Catery ..............................................66 Gainesville Regional Airport ............................ 151 Grower’s Fertilizer Corporation ..................... 138 Jack’s Small Engine Repair....................... 113, 114 Lotus Studios Photography ..............................22

Mad Hatter’s Café ............................................... 156 Mian Street Pie Company Pizzeria .................66 Northwest Grille .....................................................32 Saboré .......................................................................83 Saga ...........................................................................83 Villaggio’s Pizzeria .............................................. 102

EMPLOYMENT Flex Frac Logistics .............................................. 142

MISCELLANEOUS Alachua County EPD ......................................... 135 Pasteuria Bioscience ............................................33

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Quality Flooring for Every Room!

• WOOD FLOORING • LAMINATE • CARPET • PORCELAIN TILE • CERAMIC TILE

• BLINDS & SHUTTERS • HANDCRAFTED CULTURED STONE

The Floor Store of Newberry …and so much more!

Visit us online 24 hours a day at www.NewberryFloorStore.com

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YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOLD BUYERS

Below Wholesale Prices on Diamond & Estate Jewelry We Pay the Most for Your Gold & Silver – FREE ESTIMATES! Great Selection of Pre-Owned Electronics, Tools, Anything of Value!

Loose Diamond Sales, Jewelry Appraisals, & Professional Jewelry Repair

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON GARNER

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>> ALL-AMERICAN LIBERTY FEST

Come show your support to the troops at Santa Fe College on Nov. 6. The event is designed to honor veterans, raise funds and inform veterans of the benefits they have earned while serving our country. This family-oriented festival connects vets with vital resources and generates funds to help expand the Kanapaha Park Memorial.

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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Greener Options Ad Slick

CLEARANCE!

FANTASTIC FALL SAVINGS!

0%

FOR 36 MONTHS W.A.C

BENNETT’S TRUE VALUE AND OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT 5 SOUTH MAIN STREET, HIGH SPRINGS, FLORIDA

386.454.1717

MON-SAT: 8-6 • SUNDAY: CLOSED

* See dealer for all term and conditions regarding financing. Not available on all models. Based on credit approval.

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the Liquor & Wine Shoppe at Jonesville Huge Selection of Wines, Beers, Champagnes and more!

14451 Newberry road CVS

CR 241

ER N EW B

The or Liqu Wine & ppe Sho

.

RY R D

Kangaroo

Turn at CVS in Jonesville and come straght to us.

352-332-3308 theliquorshoppe@bellsouth.net 9-9 Mon-Thurs, 9-10 Fri-Sat www.VisitOurTowns.com Autumn 2011 | 167

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Ashton Ridge S U B D I V I S I O N

CBC #1256897

NEW HOMES STARTING AS LOW AS $116,900 — MODEL HOME PRICING — Madison ....................... $116,900 Moultrie......................... $118,852 Macon ............................... $121,775 Newnan .............................$124,113 Hampton ..................... $125,277 Albany ............................. $125,962

Albany Two............... $129,910 Henderson.................$130,106 Charleston ................ $135,534 Savannah ....................$138,670 Charlotte ....................... $141,510 Douglasville........... $152,488

Drive a little save a lot!

www.ashtonridge.me For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call

352-359-1070

The Camerons… Make it happen!

5110 SW 91st Drive, Suite A • Gainesville, Florida 32608

Ralph Cameron.........................352-359-1060 MOBILE Bonnie Cameron..................... 352-359-1070 MOBILE